Mignolet: Sunderland showed their steel
Simon Mignolet has pin-pointed Sunderland's goalless draw with league leaders Chelsea last weekend as a perfect example of why the Wearsiders will pose a stern challenge at Anfield this afternoon.
Gustavo Poyet's side were defeated midweek against a Manchester City team inspired by Sergio Aguero's ruthless finishing - but prior to the 4-1 loss, Sunderland went undefeated throughout November.
Their final fixture of the month saw the Stadium of Light play host to Jose Mourinho's pacesetters, where the Black Cats defended staunchly and could have won the game with a late flurry of goalscoring chances.
They picked up a 0-0 draw, however, and impressed in their approach, leaving former Sunderland man Mignolet to warn of the threat the visitors will pose when they arrive on Merseyside today.
"I know Sunderland will be tough to beat," Mignolet told Liverpoolfc.com. "They had a good result at home against Chelsea last weekend and they will try and do their best to get a good result against us, so we will have to look at ourselves and make sure we put the performance in.
"If we can do that then there's no reason why we can't get the three points on Saturday. There's a lot at stake but we can't look too far ahead of us as everybody is focused on Sunderland.
"We will take every game as it comes step by step, and we will see how far we can go in every competition. We are Liverpool Football Club and every time we step out onto the pitch we want to get a victory and we want to do well for the club and that's what we will keep doing."
Mignolet is determined to extend Liverpool's run of two successive Barclays Premier League victories by inflicting defeat on his former colleagues.
The Belgium international made 101 appearances for the Wearsiders during a three-year spell and became a popular figure between the posts at the Stadium of Light.
He admits it's always a special occasion when his old team are in town, but insists his only concern come kick-off will be another three points for Brendan Rodgers' charges.
"It's my old club and there are a lot of people there I still speak to," said the stopper. "It's a club close to my heart and it's always nice to play against your former club.
"But come kick-off time at 3pm that friendship goes out of the window and three points and a win will be the only thing on my mind.
"I remember the two games against my former club last season and that is always something special, something different to the other games.
"Now it's a different picture as it's the second year I am here at Liverpool and like I said once it's kick-off time that will go out of the window as we try to win the game."