Mignolet: Tough, but we'll build on it

The Reds began the campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Saints thanks to Daniel Sturridge's winner and heroics from Mignolet to keep their lead intact.

Indeed, rewind 12 months and it was very much a similar story when the Belgian's late penalty save thwarted Stoke City's Jon Walters and ensured a Sturridge goal got Liverpool's season off to a winning start at Anfield.

Back then Mignolet was eager to play down his heroics and in keeping with the similarities, he was typically modest when quizzed about the stunning stop that foiled Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin at point-blank range.

"I think first of all there was a foul on Skrts [Martin Skrtel] but the ball fell in front of Schneiderlin, who hit it really well but luckily I got a hand to it," he reflected to Liverpoolfc.com.

"But as always, the credit goes to the whole team. We fought and battled throughout the whole game, and ground a result out.

"That's what this team is about. We keep going until the end and three points is all that matters. In what scenario, or how it happened, it's not really important.

"In the first game of the season, it gives you the confidence to go forward and we'll look forward to a big game against Man City next week."

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It had been a close contest at Anfield.

Raheem Sterling's opening goal had lit up the stadium when he latched onto an outstanding through ball from Jordan Henderson and clinically notched in front of the Kop.

But Liverpool were made to toil for the three points by Southampton, who drew level via Nathaniel Clyne's blast shortly after the break.

Mignolet was then required to thwart Steven Davis before Sturridge nudged in a late winner.

"Every single start to a season is a bit bizarre," reflected the Reds 'keeper. "You don't always know what to expect with new teams and new players to come across, and you have to get through the game with three points the only thing that matters.

"You've seen with the other games played, there are always a couple of strange results. The only thing you have to do is get the three points - and that's what we did.

"We can build on that and look forward to the next game.

"Last year, Southampton made it difficult against us here as well. With the players we brought in from them, it was a totally different team. But any team in the Premier League, it doesn't matter who, is always a difficult game.

"With the conditions today - it was a bit windy - it was always going to be a bit nervy. We got through it, got three points and now onto the next one."

Mignolet lined up behind two summer arrivals in the Liverpool defence, with Dejan Lovren and Javier Manquillo making their league bows for the club.

The 26-year-old admits the new-look backline faced a much sterner test in the Barclays Premier League than they had in pre-season, but is confident they'll benefit from the experience.

"Throughout pre-season, everything went well and we worked together," said Mignolet. "Everybody was ready for today. But you can win as many games as you want in pre-season, Premier League games are totally different.

"Therefore, you always need a good start and that's what we did. Everybody will learn a lot from this game.

"You always want to win games and if you play the first game at home, you want to win and that's what we did. Everybody is pleased and can look back on a good day.

"We'll now work in training before the Man City game, we'll make sure we're prepared and planned for it."