Mignolet: Liverpool defence still solid

10 December 2013 09:17

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet insists regular defensive switches have not been the cause of the Reds' failure to keep clean sheets.

Injuries to the likes of Daniel Agger, Kolo Toure, Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique at various stages of the season have resulted in a lack of consistency in terms of those named in the back four.

While they have lost only three league matches and are scoring a lot of goals, particularly at home, Brendan Rodgers' side are not averse to letting one slip in at the other end.

They have kept a clean sheet only once in the last dozen games but Mignolet refused to blame uncertainties in defence.

"All the players who are there are professional enough to deal with that," said the Belgium international, who has enjoyed an impressive start to his Anfield career since arriving from Sunderland in the summer.

"All the defenders here are very organised, motivated and concentrated.

"We need to do a job. It doesn't matter as a keeper who is in front of me.

"I work day in, day out with the lads. I know what they can do and it doesn't affect me whether the defenders change."

Mignolet would obviously like to improve his personal record but insists that is not the priority.

"You want to keep clean sheets - that is what I am there for - but you are just one part of the team," he added.

"It's what you look forward to before a game starts but if we keep winning 4-1 until the end of the season I'll be a happy chappy.

"The most important thing is to try to win the game."

With Steven Gerrard missing with a hamstring injury Liverpool head into an important game at Tottenham on Sunday without their influential captain.

However, the Reds goalkeeper expects others to raise their game and take on added responsibility.

"We have other leaders in the team as well," he said.

"We have a decent enough squad to deal with injuries, to cope with those kind of things.

"I am sure someone else will be ready in the dressing room if the gaffer asks him to play.

"Every game we go into hopeful of getting three points. We will go to Tottenham and be positive."

Source: PA