Simon Mignolet could stay at Liverpool for the long haul.
Liverpool has opened talks with the goalkeeper over a new contract, The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson reported Tuesday and ESPN’s Mike Whalley reported Wednesday, citing sources. Mignolet’s current contract expires in 2018, but Liverpool reportedly wants to sign the Belgian to new terms before he enters the final two years of his contract.
Mignolet, 27, has been Liverpool’s No. 1 goalkeeper since 2013, when he joined the club in a £9 million ($13.5 million) transfer from Sunderland. He currently earns around £60,000 per week (£3.1 million/$4.7 million per year), and Liverpool will offer him an increased salary, according to Whalley and Jackson.
The reports came one day after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp refuted rumors claiming he wants to find a replacement for Mignolet in the January transfer market. Klopp said he’s comfortable with Liverpool’s current crop of goalkeepers and he expects Mignolet to improve.
“I’ve worked with a lot of goalkeepers in the last few years, and Simon Mignolet is one of the smartest I ever had,” Klopp said during his pre-Southampton press conference, according to ESPN. “He’s young enough to develop and improve. He didn’t have the easiest situation before I came here. There’s been nothing to criticize since I came here. Absolutely nothing.”
Mignolet was struggling mightily 12 months ago. He lost his position at the end of 2014 after making a series of mistakes, but he recovered his form and played well for most of 2015.
What a difference a year makes in the life of a goalkeeper.
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Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@talkSPORT
