Mignolet’s spectacular stop saved our life today – Klopp

Joe Williams

Jurgen Klopp reckons Simon Mignolet “saved” Liverpool’s life on Saturday with a brilliant save in the second half to deny Stoke.

The Reds went behind in the first-half when Jonathan Walters scored on the stroke of half-time before substitutes Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho scored one each to salvage a 2-1 victory.

And Klopp was convinced after the match that Mignolet’s superb scrambled save from Saido Berahino’s close-range shot late on won his side the match.

“Second half was really good but we played a big gamble on a low battery bringing on Firmino and Coutinho,” said Klopp.

“The first half was not the players, it was the way we play football. It was obvious that Stoke were better tuned but they didn’t create a lot of chances, other than the goal.

“We felt even after a not good first half we felt kind of confident. The two young boys did what they were able to do. We played with them in the wrong situations.

“Phil [Coutinho] lost three kilos in the last three days which some people wish but for a professional footballer it’s not too cool.

“We played much better football and used the space between the lines. Everything was better. Simon Mignolet, what a save. The second was spectacular but both are good. I have no idea, that was genius and I am really happy for him. He saved our life today.

“Job done, feels good. Nice weather, 63 points and I couldn’t feel any better. Now we have a long week. No team in the world wins only the very, very good games. You need to win games like this.”