Mignolet on the ‘real importance’ of preseason

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has spoken about the real importance of preseason in a video interview with the club.

The Reds are currently in Indiana as they prepare to play Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Sporting CP in front of massive American crowds.

We all thought Mignolet would be leaving Anfield behind this season after making just two appearances during 2018/2019, but it appears as if the Belgian will sacrifice another year for the greater good.

While the ex-Sunderland stopper isn’t quiet good enough to nail down a starting place at Liverpool, he’s one of the best reverse ‘keepers in the Premier League and that makes him so valuable to the team.

The Telegraph has reported that Jurgen Klopp has already said that he expects Mignolet to remain on the books for 2019/2020 while James Milner has praised the Belgian for his professionalism and incredible dedication to training – said the Echo.

Mignolet will get his chance to impress while Alisson Becker gets some time off following his stint with Brazil for Copa America, but for the Belgian this time isn’t for fitness or learning tactics. It has a different purpose.

And that, he said, is squad building. Preseason is like an intense camp for inter-personal relationships, Mignolet commented. Players spend all day with each other. They eat together, train together, relax together.

This closeness is really good to see and with Liverpool, easy to spot. Not only do the boys know how they all like to play football or their thoughts on the sport, but they know each other on a deeper level as well and that can only help on the field.

For Mignolet, this is further proof that he’s one of the best clubmen around. His role isn’t easy and he could be a rotten apple if he wanted to, but his thoughts are a long way from that and it has to be commended.