Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that he is looking to sign a new goalkeeper this month, thereby putting a question mark over the long-term future of Simon Mignolet.
The Northern Irishman had earlier stated that Mignolet, who has only managed to keep four clean sheets in his 25 appearances for Liverpool this season, would be dropped for an "indefinite period" due to his poor performance between the sticks this season.
However, the injury to back-up goalkeeper Brad Jones, who had been starting in place of the Belgian, forced Rodgers to recall Mignolet to the squad.
Due to this reason the former Swansea boss is eager to sign a new goalkeeper this month.
"I think we need a goalkeeper of some sort, it's just depending [sic] on how long Brad Jones is going to be out injured," ESPN quoted Rodgers as saying. "We are obviously down and have got two young inexperienced keepers behind Simon, who is only just back in the team, so we need to assess that."
Although Rodgers says that Mignolet, who arrived from Sunderland for a transfer fee of £9 million in the summer of 2013, is a good goalkeeper, he also feels that the Belgian needs to work on his footwork and concentration.
"Simon was at the time we were watching him, and still is, a wonderful shot-stopper," explained Rodgers. "He makes big saves, but the adaptation for him is coming into a big team where you are not having to make as many saves and therefore concentration is important and you probably have more touches of the ball with your feet than what he might have expected."
The Northern Irishman also feels that the Belgian has been weighed down by expectations as he has had to come in to replace a reputed goalkeeper like Pepe Reina.
"He has come in here under massive expectation [sic] to replace a player who was outstanding for Liverpool for seven or eight years," said Rodgers, adding that Mignolet has been training hard to improve his fitness.
"He is trying to develop areas of his game. He knows he needs to improve with his feet and he is working hard on that on a daily basis. He is analysing the games and working with the coach and doing everything he can to be the best he can be." The Liverpool manager said.
