BR: Mignolet has the mental strength
Brendan Rodgers insists he has no qualms about Simon Mingolet's ability to regain top form, highlighting the goalkeeper's strength of character as a key attribute in his makeup.
The Belgian has been the subject of media analysis recently after an error during Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Ludogorets Razgrad led to the Bulgarian team opening the scoring after just three minutes in Sofia.
Hosting his pre-Stoke City press conference at Melwood, Rodgers was asked about the form of the Liverpool custodian by journalists - and the boss revealed his confidence that Mignolet won't be dwelling on such mistakes.
The manager said: "He's fine. I had a good chat with Simon today.
"Simon has saved us in games - a number of games - in my time here. His form is probably just like the team's - we all need to be better collectively as a squad.
"He is coping well. It's never easy and I've always said, however it comes, you won't like criticism whether it's deserved or not. But it's part of the sport and part of the game, all you can do is focus on being the best you can be in your next game and your next training session. That's something he's done. That's our idea.
"The team gains confidence from each other. When you're scoring goals, it has an impact on midfielders and defenders, and likewise when you're keeping clean sheets, it has an impact on everyone.
"For us, it's about collective responsibility - not just one player. If we're to succeed, it'll be about everyone."
Rodgers feels the worldwide scale of Liverpool Football Club means the players face greater examination than perhaps elsewhere.
Nonetheless, the Northern Irishman believes it is an aspect of playing for the Reds that has to be embraced.
He added: "It [criticism] will come, we're losing games of football and maybe not playing so well, and when you're at a club like Liverpool, the focus on you is magnified because we're one of the great leading clubs in the world, so you have to accept it as part of the job.
"He [Mignolet] is strong enough. You have to embrace it - if you're going to be at this level of football, you have to be able to cope with the spotlight, whether it's good or bad. It's always going to be there because of the sheer size of the club.
"It's a great club to play for, to work for, but sometimes it won't always go your way and you have to be able to cope with it when it doesn't and fight even harder to come back.
"You're at a leading team in Europe and everyone's watching every game and every move you make. For Simon, the spotlight is on him as well as on the team, but he's a strong enough character to come through it.
"He's a good guy, he's working very hard on every aspect of his game, and like the team, his confidence will grow as the season progresses and he'll become better."
Meanwhile, Rodgers praised the support Liverpool's current crop of players have been receiving from some of the most iconic stars from the club's illustrious past.
He said: "I am thankful I have got guys here, former players like Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Kenny [Dalglish] - absolute legends of the club, who are unequivocal in their support. Win, lose or draw, I always get something from them, as well as the likes of Steve McManaman.
"These guys were wonderful players for this club. They see the difficult moments we're in, but are 100 per cent behind what we're doing, so I tend to focus more on these guys, real supporters of the club and who want the club to do well."