Mignolet: Suarez doesn't surprise me
Luis Suarez may have become the first Liverpool player in 27 years to reach the landmark tally of 30 league goals in a single season on Sunday, but Simon Mignolet admits he wasn't in the slightest bit surprised.
The Uruguayan fired an early effort at Carrow Road in a 3-2 victory over Norwich City, ensuring he became the first Red since Ian Rush in 1986-87 to secure the milestone.
It's feat described as 'amazing' by Mignolet, though the goalkeeper insists it hasn't come as a shock to him.
"To score 30 league goals in a season is amazing," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"Everybody knows what Luis can do and the goals he contributes to the team are very important for us.
"He doesn't surprise me anymore. I see him every day in training.
"It's not an accident, it's not luck, the reason he has scored so many goals is down to his ability. He is so good and we're very pleased to have him."
Suarez is one of three Liverpool players in contention to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award this Sunday, along with Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge.
However, while there have been a number of outstanding individual performances among the Reds squad this season on their march to the Barclays Premier League summit, Mignolet feels it's a strong team ethic that has been key to their form.
"Luis has a good chance but there are a few contenders for that award in our team," added the Belgian.
"There are other players here who are also very important for the team.
"It's more about the squad than any individual. You saw the togetherness in the scenes after the win over Manchester City and again at Norwich.
"We've cleared different hurdles together as a team. Every game is mentally and physically tough but we get through it and it makes you stronger."
Liverpool's victory on Sunday moved them five points clear at the top of the table with three games remaining.
Next up for Brendan Rodgers' side is an Anfield encounter with Chelsea this weekend - but Mignolet is adamant a sense of calmness prevails within the Melwood dressing room.
He said: "There are no signs of nerves. There is no point making ourselves nervous before a match.
"We take each game as it comes and just focus on the objective. All we can do is our best.
"It's not about imagining winning the title, it's about doing it on the pitch. No-one is thinking about what might happen on May 11, we're just preparing ourselves for Chelsea.
"We know it's up to us. We need to look at ourselves, it's not about looking at the opposition.
"Three points was all that mattered at Norwich. Before the game the manager told us that Chelsea's defeat [against Sunderland] was a warning sign - that it showed what can happen in the Premier League against any team.
"We've seen with the points Chelsea and City have dropped recently that every single game in this league is tough.
"Norwich are fighting relegation and made it difficult for us but we managed to get through it. We did the job and now we move on and look forward to another big game at home against Chelsea.
"We are an attacking team and to have scored 96 goals in the league already is a brilliant amount. Hopefully we can keep that going over the final three matches and finish the season strongly."