The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Second choice Mignolet back for Liverpool
Simon Mignolet returns for Liverpool in the EFL Cup tonight – but manager Jurgen Klopp has made it clear the Belgian goalkeeper is now second choice.
Mignolet has had three inconsistent seasons at Anfield and lost his place to new signing Loris Karius for the Reds’ defeat of Derby in the third round of the competition last month.
At the time Klopp said he had no definite No 1 but, with Karius having now played five games in succession, his thoughts have changed.
Mignolet, however, remains a key figure in the squad and Klopp is keen to have him involved as Tottenham visit Anfield in the fourth round.
Klopp said: “If nothing happens in training then he will play, 100%. But in this moment we have a No 1 and that’s Loris Karius. That’s the situation and what the goalkeepers know. I cannot leave them in doubt.”
Spurs will also have their secondchoice keeper involved. Michel Vorm will start with Hugo Lloris rested.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger plans changes for tonight’s meeting with Reading but insists the Gunners will compete for every competition this season
“Our challenge is to compete for everything, starting (on Tuesday) in the League Cup,” he told the club’s annual meeting.
“Even if you see some new faces, our desire is to qualify and fight for everything because I believe we have a squad that is more mature and better equipped to cope with all the challenges we have.”