Liverpool

Simon Mignolet welcomes increased competition for starting spot at Liverpool

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 18 July 2017

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is confident that he can keep hold of his starting spot in goal next season, despite competition from Loris Karius and Danny Ward.

Simon Mignolet has insisted that increased competition for the number-one spot at Liverpool next season will only help him to improve his game.

The Belgium international battled it out with Loris Karius for the gloves last season, coming out on top by ending the campaign as one of Jurgen Klopp's star performers.

Mignolet must now also see off returning stopper Danny Ward, who impressed during a loan stint at promotion-winning Huddersfield Town last time out, but he is confident of doing so in a campaign that could see Liverpool compete on four fronts if they qualify for the Champions League.

"It's nice to see Danny back and there's Loris also," the Liverpool Echo quotes him as saying. "We have three senior keepers here and then there's Kamil Grabara, a really exciting young prospect.

"Together with John [Achterberg], we all work hard in training to push each other on and get ourselves ready for the new season. Having more competition can only help you get better as an individual.

"I know I need to push myself as far as I can go to be ready for the new season. You look at yourself in the mirror every day and ask what can you do better and what can you improve? The other boys on the training field help to push you forward."

Klopp recently revealed that he has yet to decide which of Mignolet, Ward and Karius will be given the nod for the start of the season.