Liverpool will reportedly stand in the way of Simon Mignolet securing an exit from the club before Friday’s transfer deadline for the rest of Europe.
The Belgian shot-stopper was forced to play a back-up role to Loris Karius in the second half of last season as his teammate established himself as Jurgen Klopp’s first choice between the posts.
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However, after his horror show in the Champions League final at the end of last season and his subsequent struggles in pre-season, that led the Merseyside giants to signing Alisson this summer which relegated Karius to the bench, and arguably placed Mignolet as third choice.
Karius has since left to join Besiktas on loan, a decision that was criticised by Mignolet as he labelled it “strange” that he wasn’t allowed to leave on loan but his former teammate was despite being ahead of him in the pecking order, as per Goal.com.
His frustration is seemingly not going to be eased either as The Guardian report that Liverpool won’t green light an exit for him ahead of the deadline on Friday with a significant part of Europe still able to make signings.
From Liverpool’s perspective, it’s a sensible move. Klopp needs quality back-up to Alisson for this season in case of injury or suspension, and with only youth options available to him aside from Mignolet, it would be a major risk to let the 30-year-old leave.
However, it’s easy to see the frustration from the Belgian ace’s side, as he will now struggle to secure regular playing time with Alisson a permanent fixture in the line-up thus far this season.
Perhaps he’ll get opportunities when Klopp rotates given Liverpool are battling on various fronts this year, but while the Guardian suggest that only a permanent move will convince the Reds over a Mignolet exit, given that they are unable to sign a replacement until January now, it seems unlikely.