Mignolet: I don't want to jinx my run!
When he steps onto the pitch to face Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday, Liverpool stopper Simon Mignolet will further extend a record which he alone currently holds in the Barclays Premier League.
The Belgian boasts the longest ongoing run of consecutive appearances in the division - a feat which started at the conclusion of the 2011-12 campaign and will stretch to 76 matches this weekend.
Having completed an ever-present season for former club Sunderland last year, the 26-year-old has not missed a single minute of the Reds' surge to top spot with three more games to navigate.
No player can match Mignolet's achievement, and it's one that the goalkeeper is naturally pleased to hold - but, equally, he was keen not to talk too much about it when asked by Liverpoolfc.com this week.
"I'm very pleased with it," the No.22 smiled. "I don't really want to jinx it now by talking about it! An injury or suspension can happen very easily.
"I've been very lucky and, touch wood, it stays that way - I don't get an injury or red card. It's something that I'm pleased about, but, on the other hand, it can change really quickly with an injury.
"I've been out with my nose [at Sunderland] - it was for 10 to 12 weeks then - and it's never nice to be injured. Hopefully we can keep ourselves fit and work hard in training, and I'm sure we can keep doing that.
"I would have had over 100 if I had been lucky enough not to miss one game in my time with Sunderland.
"There was one game in the second part of the season where I was rested; otherwise I would have had over 100.
"It's something that I'm pleased about; staying injury free has helped me do that, and also the fact that I'm a goalkeeper. I'm very pleased with it and hopefully we can keep the run going as long as we can."
When Mignolet clocks up No.76 in his run of appearances on Sunday, he will once again be surrounded by a wall of noise as Kopites crank up the atmosphere for Chelsea.
For the past three home games - against Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City - fans have provided a pre-match welcome to remember for the players.
The level of support has been the subject of much conversation around Melwood, and the Reds' 'keeper considers the home crowd to be a crucial added factor for the team.
Quizzed on when the fans can make the most impact, Mignolet said: "In those moments where we're struggling, when we've got a bit of tough going.
"I remember the game against Manchester City, when we went to 2-2 in the second half, the fans were behind us and drove us on to score a third goal.
"If they are behind us at home on Sunday, it can only help us win games more easily."
For those simply watching proceedings at Anfield, the opportunity to soak up the sights and sounds of the stadium are available before, during and after the football unfolds across 90 minutes.
Studious and focused, however, Mignolet's self-imposed window to take in the scenes around him is limited to the time before kick-off - despite his personal proximity to the stands.
He added: "The fans are behind you and you feel that they are behind you, definitely leading into the game, just before kick-off.
"You feel them behind you and it's only a positive thing to have that support behind you. They love their goalkeepers and hopefully they can keep pushing us forward.
"Just before kick-off, I hear the songs. But, once the ball starts rolling, I don't really listen anymore - there's only one thing that's on my mind, and that's the game."