'Our penalty studies paid off in Stoke shootout'

The Potters levelled the semi-final tie on aggregate by winning 1-0 at Anfield through Marko Arnautovic’s strike in first-half stoppage time, and it remained that way after 120 tense minutes.

A shootout was therefore required to decide which team progressed to Wembley and at that point, Mignolet called upon the analysis work done ahead of the game to make educated guesses on where the Stoke takers would aim from 12 yards.

The Belgian denied former Red Peter Crouch during the regulation five spot-kicks apiece and then, in sudden death, kept out Marc Muniesa’s attempt to tee up Joe Allen to secure a place in the final.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: “We studied the penalties of the opponents, as always. It paid off.

“All credit to the goalkeeping coaches and analysts who put a lot of work into that. We’re very pleased it helped. But also the guys who scored – they did brilliantly, kept cool heads and we got through.

“It was brilliant. We wanted it so badly. At half-time we had a bit of a setback with their goal but we said to each other that it can’t affect us. We needed to play 45 minutes or even longer maybe.

“We went through with penalties – it doesn’t matter how we did it. Everybody is pleased that we got there and hopefully we can do the job there as well.”

Stoke made things difficult for Jürgen Klopp’s side with an industrious and disciplined display and threatened to add to Arnautovic’s goal and ruin Liverpool’s hopes.

But Mignolet felt the Reds were worthy of their spot in the showpiece at Wembley on February 28.

He said: “That’s what you expect against a team like Stoke, you have to give them credit for how they played. They made it difficult. But I think over the two legs we are the deserved winners of this tie.

“We played a really good game down there. The goal we conceded was offside. After that, we defended really well and everybody did their jobs.”