Simon Mignolet Liverpool

Mignolet shrugs off criticism as 'part and parcel of playing for Liverpool'

Simon Mignolet forms part of a much-maligned defensive unit, but he considers criticism to be “part and parcel of playing for Liverpool”.

The Reds have faced regular rounds of uncomfortable questions this season, with Jurgen Klopp’s side once again struggling for clean sheets.

Reds -3 v Maribor - 3/4 with dabble

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Failure to bolster the ranks during the summer transfer window is considered to have been a major contributing factor to the struggles, despite claims to the contrary from those inside the Anfield camp.

Mignolet is among those to have seen his performances placed under the microscope, particularly after an error-strewn display in a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham, but the Belgium international says such scrutiny comes merely from representing a club of Liverpool’s stature.

He said in the Liverpool Echo after responding to the Spurs setback with a 3-0 victory over Huddersfield: “You know when you play a good game and you know when you play a bad game.

“Normally we play midweek which wasn’t the case this week so that didn’t help because then a lot gets written and a lot gets said. You can only put it behind you with a good performance.

“Everyone deals with criticism in a different way. Some guys read it, some guys don’t really listen to it, some guys try to stay away from it, some guys get angry about it.

“It is just about staying calm, not getting carried away with what is said because that is part and parcel of playing for Liverpool. You have to deal with it as it’s not going to change.

“It is about making sure you get the right reaction. Everyone wanted to respond in a good way with a good performance.

Simon Mignolet Liverpool criticismPlaying Surface/Getty

“That’s what we did and that is why we can be proud of it. We did a good job. We won at home and that is something we need to do on a consistent basis.

“We are happy with that. We can move on and look forward to the Champions League in midweek.”

Mignolet added ahead of a European clash with Maribor on Wednesday: “After the Tottenham game I didn’t need to be told that I had a bad game.

“It’s about not beating yourself up too much but at the same time knowing what you could have done better and what you have to change to try to correct it.

“I didn’t have much to do so it wasn’t like I was going to help the team but at the same time sometimes you can crumble underneath the pressure,” he added.

“That’s not going to happen to me. I just play my game the best I can and if the team needs my help I’ll try to do it.

“Everyone in front of me defended well which made my life easier so credit to the boys for keeping a clean sheet.”

Liverpool have actually secured three clean sheets in their last four outings in all competitions, with Spurs the only side to have breached them.

Manchester United, Maribor and Huddersfield have all been contained, helping to keep the Reds in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League and on course for the last-16 in Europe.

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