Brad Jones believes Liverpool’s new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet won’t hit his peak for a number of seasons.
Brendan Rodgers signed the 25-year-old in a £9m deal from Sunderland in June after the Belgium international had impressed for the Black Cats over the past three seasons.
Mignolet will be competing with World Cup winner Pepe Reina, who is currently being linked with Napoli, and Australia international Jones for the number spot at Anfield.
But Liverpool’s third-choice shot stopper is impressed by Mignolet’s consistency and is relishing the challenge
of competing with the Belgian.
“I’ve seen a fair bit of him and he’s done really well. Last season
was probably his best so far and Sunderland probably owe a bit to him for staying up,” Jones told Liverpool’s website.
“He probably produced a few points for them over the course of the season. For him, it’s a big move but it’s something he’s probably deserved from last year. He’ll be hoping to continue in the way he finished last season.
“His best quality is his overall quality. He’s pretty consistent in everything he does. That’s where you want to be – be good at every aspect, really.
“Last year he was very consistent and he probably doesn’t have many weaknesses. He’s got a few years before he hits his peak as well. He’s a very good goalkeeper.
“It doesn’t change too much for me. It’s a new challenge, it’s someone new. Simon’s come in, he’s a great guy, good to work with and a good goalkeeper.
“Training has been good and it’s just about getting on with it and doing your best, as you do every day. At the moment, training is really enjoyable and hopefully it continues that way.”
Brendan Rodgers signed the 25-year-old in a £9m deal from Sunderland in June after the Belgium international had impressed for the Black Cats over the past three seasons.
Mignolet will be competing with World Cup winner Pepe Reina, who is currently being linked with Napoli, and Australia international Jones for the number spot at Anfield.
But Liverpool’s third-choice shot stopper is impressed by Mignolet’s consistency and is relishing the challenge
of competing with the Belgian.“I’ve seen a fair bit of him and he’s done really well. Last season
was probably his best so far and Sunderland probably owe a bit to him for staying up,” Jones told Liverpool’s website.“He probably produced a few points for them over the course of the season. For him, it’s a big move but it’s something he’s probably deserved from last year. He’ll be hoping to continue in the way he finished last season.
“His best quality is his overall quality. He’s pretty consistent in everything he does. That’s where you want to be – be good at every aspect, really.
“Last year he was very consistent and he probably doesn’t have many weaknesses. He’s got a few years before he hits his peak as well. He’s a very good goalkeeper
.“It doesn’t change too much for me. It’s a new challenge
, it’s someone new. Simon’s come in, he’s a great guy, good to work with and a good goalkeeper.“Training has been good and it’s just about getting on with it and doing your best, as you do every day. At the moment, training is really enjoyable
and hopefully it continues that way.”
