Boss controversial statement: blame it all on me

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has come out and defended much maligned goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and asked critics to blame him for the error and not the player. Liverpool’s Belgian ‘keeper had another night to forget as his error allowed West Browmich Albion to score.

With the Reds in the lead, Mignolet failed to claim a West Brom corner despite coming off his line for it. Instead, the ball landed at the feet of Albion defender Craig Dawson who smashed it into the back of the net. The visitors gained confidence from their equalizer and Albion’s Jonas Olsson sent the visitors into the lead in the second half. This error from Mignolet took a heavy toll on the result as Liverpool just about managed to grab a point from the game thanks to a Divock Origi goal in the 95th minute of the match.

But speaking to the media after the 2-2 draw, Liverpool manager Klopp said, ” I said to Simon at half time, ‘if somebody says it is your fault, you can say it’s not true, it’s my fault.’ Because I want a keeper who helps, I want a keeper who comes out and tries everything, with 20 players around him, he tried but didn’t get the ball for the first goal.”

Mignolet has courted a lot of criticism in his time at Anfield and statistics revealed how he had more mistakes leading to a goal than any other player in the last three seasons of the Premier League. His manager however, seemed intent on backing the ‘keeper despite his history.

Klopp further added, ” They had six or seven players who are six feet four or taller, it’s really difficult for us to defend. We tried it, we have to do better, we will work on it but nothing to say negative about Simon.”

“First goal of course for me he tried and that’s important. It’s really difficult in England because there is no-one to protect goalkeepers. But I want him to come out because he can help. Sometimes you try something and it’s a fault but it’s not the biggest problem.”