Mignolet: We got what we wanted
Simon Mignolet declared himself satisfied after seeing Liverpool finish top of their group and keep a clean sheet with a goalless draw against FC Sion in difficult conditions on Thursday night.
In a fixture played in sub-zero temperatures, part of the Stade Tourbillon playing surface was frozen over, but the Belgian managed another shut-out as Jürgen Klopp’s side ensured top spot in Group B ahead of Monday’s last 32 draw.
Reflecting on the result, Mignolet told Liverpoolfc.com: “When you play away from home in the Europa League, first of all you have to do the ugly bits.
“With the conditions we kept a clean sheet and we finished top of the group, which is what we wanted, so we are very pleased because it puts us in a better position for the draw on Monday.
“One side of the pitch was frozen and also one goalmouth so it’s not always easy to play on it. I played on surfaces like this when I was younger in Belgium so I was used to it!
“It’s not easy to play football on it and it makes it difficult to pass the ball, but it was the same for both teams so we accepted it.
“I thought we dealt really well with it and we tried to play our football and not give the opponent a chance to play, so a clean sheet away from home is always good.
“Sion have qualified as well so I think everyone is happy.”
Asked how difficult it was to play in a final group game despite having already secured qualification, Mignolet insisted the Liverpool players will always go into every game they play with maximum effort and intensity.
He added: “Every time you put on the Liverpool shirt you want to win and you want to put in a performance that is worthy of playing for Liverpool FC.
“The gaffer made that clear to us before the game as well.”
Finishing top of the group has now ensured home advantage for the second leg of the last 32 tie - a big positive for the team, according to the goalkeeper.
He said: “It’s definitely better [finishing top] than being second in the group, that’s obvious.
“I think the Europa League is a tough competition and a lot of teams from the Champions League have now come into that, so you always want to be top of your group to make sure you are not drawn against these teams.
“We will see who we get in the draw and try to get through that as well.”
Liverpool will now turn their attentions to Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion at Anfield.
After the defeat at Newcastle United, Liverpool’s No.22 sees the perfect opportunity for Klopp’s team to show their true colours once again in front of their own supporters.
He added: “We want to respond after the Newcastle game and we’ve got a very important fixture now on Sunday against West Bromwich Albion.
“We will recover as well as we can and make sure we are ready for Sunday because it’s always important to respond after a bad result and we’ve got the opportunity to do that at home at Anfield.”