Mignolet credits all for shut-out feat
After playing a central role in helping Liverpool emulate a clean sheet record from the Bill Shankly era, Simon Mignolet transferred all praise for the achievement to the entire team.
In the first instance, a shut-out at Swansea City on Monday night was a fundamental factor in the Reds clocking up another win and a 13th Barclays Premier League clash unbeaten.
For the history books, though, there was a new entry as for the sixth consecutive game away from home in the division Brendan Rodgers' side prevented the opposition from scoring.
Shankly was in charge when that last occurred, during the 1971-72 season. Immediately after the feat had been matched, Mignolet told Liverpoolfc.com: "We're pleased with that record as a team.
"If you play away from home you always want to keep a clean sheet. We have now done that six times in a row, which is very pleasing.
"I always say that we do that with the whole squad and it was the same again. Everybody worked hard to get the clean sheet again and we have to keep that going until the end of the season.
"I don't want to take any personal praise because I have always said since the beginning that you keep clean sheets together as a team. That's what we've been doing.
"We have to keep going and do the same things for the remainder of the season. There's still a lot to play for and next there's a big game coming up."
It was truly a game of two halves at the Liberty Stadium, with the Swans dominant for the first 45 minutes and Liverpool grasping control following the interval.
Jordan Henderson's determination led to the decisive moment, when Jordi Amat's sliding tackle sent the ball cannoning off the Reds midfielder and beyond Lukasz Fabianski.
Rodgers spoke of his players' character and resilience after the final whistle, sentiments shared by the Belgium international goalkeeper.
"Three points away from home is very difficult," he continued. "Swansea are a good side so we knew beforehand that it was going to be a tough game.
"We didn't start too well, in the first half we didn't keep the ball well enough. But we got through it and in the second half we pressed a lot better, kept the ball better and didn't give any chances away.
"With that pressing we created the goal. 1-0 is always a good result away from home - another clean sheet, three points and we can move on to the next game.
"You saw the character and spirit that is in the team, to come out in the second half and show that we are resilient to get the result and get the victory in difficult circumstances.
"We're very pleased with the three points because that's all that matters and we can move on to a big game on Sunday."
The contest Mignolet referred to is an Anfield meeting with Manchester United this Sunday, the outcome of which could have a serious impact on the top four race.
But such thoughts will be banished once the action gets underway, according to Mignolet.
"It's as significant as all the other games we have played - there are three points to win and three points to lose," the 27-year-old commented.
"We have to take it like that and see it in a professional way, and we have to do our jobs. All of the rest goes out of the window when it is kick-off time.
"We'll reflect on tonight's performance and then we'll make sure that we prepare ourselves the best we can for the next game."