Watch Liverpool No1 Simon Mignolet copy Bayern Munich legend
Simon Mignolet takes a leaf out Manuel Neuer's sweeper keeper handbook
Simon Mignolet appears to have been studying Manuel Neuer after the Liverpool goalkeeper ventured off his line during a goalless draw with Bolton on Saturday.
The Bayern Munich shot stopper was described as a “sweeper keeper” during last summer’s World Cup, and the 28-year-old has continued his adventurous antics in this season’s Bundesliga.
Liverpool fans were treated to Mignolet’s own take on the new goalkeeping style during the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Anfield on Saturday.
The Belgium star, who was dropped earlier this season, raced off his line to control a long ball with his chest before playing a short pass despite Eidur Gudjohnson harrying the shot stopper.
Mignolet’s cool head under pressure earned him comparisons to the Bayern and Germany legend Neuer, although Brendan Rodgers must have been watching between his fingers.
The Liverpool number one has seven clean sheets in 20 Premier League appearances this season, equal with David De Gea, Thibaut Courtois, Joe Hart and Brad Guzan.
Remarkably, four of Mignolet’s seven shutouts came came away from home, securing three successive clean sheets on the road (Burnley, Sunderland and Aston Villa) for Liverpool for the first time since 2008.
The former Sunderland man also has the joint-best distribution in the Premier League, alongside Tim Howard.
