SIMONSAYS NO CHANGE

Mignolet insists ropey Reds won’t ditch attacking style

SIMON MIGNOLET insists Liverpool will not curb their attacking instincts despite taking flak for their ropey defence.

Under Jurgen Klopp the Anfield side can often look irresistible going forward but then – as at Watford last weekend – leaden footed at the back as defenders get exposed.

But following their first-leg win over Hoffenheim in the Champions League play-off, Belgian keeper Mignolet believes it’s important the Reds maintain their reputation as an exciting side to watch.

He said: “We know we have so much talent in the squad that we have to use it. We have the qualities and our natural game will be attacking.

“We know we have to fill that in with a defensive spirit. We know that’s where we have to improve, we’re not blind.

“Everybody knows it in the dressing room but there is no point throwing everything away. A natural footballing side that goes forward, you can’t change that, but we know we have to mix that in with a good defensive, aggressive spirit to make sure they don’t score.”

Mignolet himself showed that spirit in Germany, with a crucial penalty stop, and at least four more top-class saves to keep Liverpool in the game and allow them the luxury of an away win.

It means they only have to draw at Anfield in the second leg next week to progress to the group stages. But the keeper knows that there is no point telling the Reds to curb their natural instincts.

Asked what the approach would be for the second leg, he replied: “We can only play one way and that is forward.

“To score twice away from home, if we score one at Anfield it will be difficult for them. We know we can always score. We have so much style up front.

“We took a lot of steps defensively in Germany.

“We were solid, we defended set-pieces well too. We know what we have to improve and we have a good dressing room to deal with that.”