Having been the hero for Liverpool on several occasions already during the opening weeks of 2013-14, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet watched on as most of the action took place at the other end on Sunday.

Devastating combination play between Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez ensured the front pair scored all three goals in the Reds' 3-1 victory over bottom club Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

After the match, Brendan Rodgers argued that the duo can compare to any other partnership in the Barclays Premier League - a hypothesis you will not find Mignolet disagreeing with.

"Everybody has seen that they have got goals in them," the Belgium international told Liverpoolfc.com.

"They are a very good striking force; they have scored lots of goals and helped us win points. Hopefully we can keep that going."

Results elsewhere in the division across the weekend proved favourable to the Liverpool cause, and Mignolet revealed how the carrot of second place worked as inspiration pre-match.

The No.22 added: "We know from the results yesterday that every game in the Premier League is a difficult one. So therefore it was very important for us to get the three points today, away at Sunderland.

"We managed to do it and that puts us back into second position in the league table - which we wanted beforehand.

"We look at it but, then again, you have to do your job yourself otherwise those results aren't important. We knew beforehand that we wanted the three points and that was going to put us back into second position.

"After the game, everybody is pleased that we managed to do that. Now we have to keep it going and look forward to the game next week against Crystal Palace."

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The match against the Mackems was the stopper's first return to his old team since a move to Anfield was completed in the summer. So, how did it feel for the 25-year-old?

"It's always a bit special. I was grateful for the reaction I had from the fans today. It was very pleasing to me and I have to thank them for that," he concluded.