Speaking to the media on Thursday, Simon Mignolet has revealed that Jurgen Klopp is like a father figure to the Liverpool players.
In discussion with German journalists in Liverpool on Thursday [as reported by Goal], the under-pressure Belgian stopper has come out in praise for Klopp, who is going through a mixed spell at Anfield at the moment.
“He is like a father to us,” Mignolet began, “he is always at out side.
“He wants us to be a family, he has breakfast with us and he’s on the pitch as an additional player,” the former Sunderland man continued. “He is a positive person and gives us a lot of confidence.
“He is honest and you can tell everything to his face. We laugh a lot with him, but during training or the match we are always 100 percent focused.”
Mignolet owes a lot to Klopp, having recently signed a new contract at Anfield—which will keep him at the club until January 2021—despite a testing few months on Merseyside.
In truth, the Belgian international has never truly impressed since moving from the Stadium of Light in 2013, and in a series of high-profile errors in recent fixtures meant that it was something of a surprise when Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy tied him down to a long-term deal.
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The Reds have conceded 36 goals in 25 Premier League outings so far this season, more than any other side in the top 14, and it remains to be seen whether the fallen giants can re-establish themselves in the Champions League if they persist with Mignolet.
The 27-year-old featured for Sint-Truiden in his homeland before moving to Sunderland in 2010.