Liverpool were in complete shambles when Jurgen Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers back in 2015 and reconstructed the squad slowly but steadily with his preferred options. The Reds have successfully secured a Champions League berth last season following a fourth-placed Premier League finish and are going strong in the competition this year along with a decent league outing. The charismatic German gaffer has reinvested in several slots, like defence, attack and also between the sticks by bringing in Loris Karius in summer 2016 with a view to providing competition to Simon Mignolet who featured as club’s ‘number 1’ since joining from Sunderland back in 2013.
Mignolet was brought in by the then boss Brendan Rodgers and became an instant hero by saving Jonathan Walters spot-kick in the opening fixture of the season against Stoke City. He, however, received stern criticism due to inconsistency and was replaced by Brad Jones and Adam Bogdan at times in his tenure. Neither Jones nor Bogdan was good enough either and Klopp opted to bring in Karius who had a huge reputation in Germany with Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05. Karius too was handed a run of games last season due to Mignolet’s unconvincing displays but failed to earn manager’s trust following some erroneous outings. The Belgian was restored between the sticks and ended the season on a high note securing a ‘top four’ finish.
The 30-year-old custodian, meanwhile, has been rotated with Karius since the inception of the new season and has now lost his first-team status completely due to the German’s recent run of form. Mignolet has opened up about his discontent time and again as he wants to feature regularly at this stage of his career. If the latest reports are believed to be true, the keeper has now been linked to a shock move to Celtic this summer where he will reunite with Brendan Rodgers, the Northern Irishman who brought him at Liverpool from the Black Cats. Although there are multiple Premier League sides chasing his signing, the profile of working under Rodgers again might see him complete this surprise move.
The Hoops have Craig Gordon and Dorus de Vries who are in their late 30s and do not hold a long-term future ahead at Parkhead. They are hoping to make Scott Bain’s loan move permanent but will face competition from league counterparts who are offering him assured game-time between the sticks. A move to Celtic thus will offer him a regular place in goal for years to come and also conquer silverware in Scottish football.
Mignolet, however, is also being targeted by Serie A title contenders SSC Napoli who want him as the successor of departing veteran Pepe Reina who is still lauded as a Liverpool hero where he cherished his time under former boss Rafael Benitez. The profile of Napoli will certainly be more enticing than joining the Bhoys but the player must consider the move over plying his trade to mid-table Premier League sides Southampton, Newcastle United and Stoke City – who are still battling out for their survival.
