Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Simon Mignolet will not leave the club before today’s transfer deadline, and slammed the Belgian’s public criticism of the club this summer.
Mignolet had been expected to leave after being shunted down to third choice goalkeeper at Anfield after the arrival of Alisson, but Loris Karius was instead allowed a loan exit to Besiktas.
The 6ft 3in wantaway ace [Transfermarkt] has publicly aired his frustrations with the club on several occasions this summer, and Klopp has now addressed the situation ahead of Friday’s 5pm European transfer deadline.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester on Saturday, Klopp said, as quoted by Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle on Twitter: “He will not leave today, of course not. In general, discussing your individual problems in public doesn’t make too much sense, it’s better you speak to each other. But it was still okay. He’s a human being.
“If he was happy to be a number 2, I wouldn’t know him. Of course he’s not happy, pretty good pay though.
Klopp: If he was happy to be a number 2, I wouldn't know him. Of course he's not happy, pretty good pay though.
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) August 31, 2018
OPINION
This is a pretty definitive update from Klopp, who is obviously not too happy with the way that Mignolet has conducted himself this summer. It was thought that Liverpool may let the Belgian leave and find a last-minute replacement, but it is clear that Mignolet will now have to stay put this summer. It is not really known if Mignolet’s behaviour has affected his chances of leaving the club, but in any case he will now have to knuckle down and accept the fact he will have to stay for another six months at least. In many ways you cannot blame the Belgian for his frustration, with an exit for him being the obvious move for the club this summer. Letting Karius leave was a surprise, and one that obviously took Mignolet off guard. At this point in his career he is obviously desperate to play, and Klopp’s comments on his pay therefore miss the point completely.
