Confident Simon Mignolet Excited to Face Former Team

While Simon Mignolet didn’t have too much to do between the posts against Manchester City, he still led Liverpool to their third clean sheet out of the last four matches. For a side that’s struggled at the back, such a run is impressive.

The goalkeeper’s next test is to deny Sunderland — his former team — from netting at the Stadium of Light on Monday. He’ll have to continue blocking out the doubters to accomplish that objective, something he’s come accustomed to doing over the years.

"It's only normal," he said in an exclusive interview with Soccer Special. "You have to relish that and use that. It's a nice thing to be playing for a big club like Liverpool and to be in the spotlight. You have to use it as energy.”

Mignolet added that focus and mental strength will be important for him and his teammates, as “everybody is waiting for us to slip up and to see what we can do.”

Nonetheless, he’s excited to return to the stadium where he first made a name for himself. Liverpool fans will hope the setting will bring out the best in him.

"It's always nice to go back there," Mignolet said of Sunderland. "The reception I get from the fans and the time I spent there was brilliant. I still have a lot of friends over there.”