Simon Mignolet praise for 'solid' Liverpool
Simon Mignolet has hailed Liverpool's 'solid' recent performances after a run that has seen them concede just twice in six outings.
But the goalkeeper insists the praise should be shared out among the entire team, rather than singling out the defence, with unity from back to front key to that encouraging recent record in his eyes.
Brighton and Hove Albion and Everton are the only teams to have breached the Reds' backline of late - and both of those goals came via contentious penalties.
Reflecting on that fact, Mignolet told Liverpoolfc.com: "It’s been a long time since we conceded a goal from open play - against Chelsea at the very end of the game.
"We’re defending really well at the moment, we’ve been solid.
"The three points is the most important thing and the boys up front are scoring so we know we [just] have to keep clean sheets to make it easier for us to win games."
The Belgian pinpointed the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium back in October as a turning point for the Reds defensively.
He believes the collective effort since then has been fundamental to Jürgen Klopp's team posting seven clean sheets in their last 12 fixtures.
"Ever since the Tottenham game we had to change something because we were not happy with how we performed at Wembley," he added.
"After that we looked at certain things to try and change them and then it’s all about the togetherness in the squad.
"Everybody wants to help out and defend and that’s the way we play, it’s not about the back four or any individual who can change these kinds of things, it’s more about the unity of the team and the way we press up high.
"We make sure that we don’t give any counter-attacks away and don’t give the opponent a chance to score any goals. So far that has been working very well and we have to keep doing that."
Liverpool's latest shutout was achieved on Sunday as AFC Bournemouth were beaten 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League.
Mignolet was particularly pleased with the manner in which he and his teammates shook off the disappointment of back-to-back draws with Everton and West Bromwich Albion to clinch a comfortable win.
He added: "Draws are always disappointing, especially when you concede at a late stage in the game, like against Everton in the derby.
"You just look forward to the next game, which happened to be Bournemouth, and we wanted to get three points and that’s what we got.
"We knew that we wanted to get back to winning ways. Away from home in the Premier League is always tough and Bournemouth has proven to be a difficult opponent the last few years but we did very well.
"We scored two great goals and then they had a few moments - especially the [shot] against the post from Defoe - but after that we settled the game with a goal just before half-time.
"Second half we defended well and played our game like we wanted to play, with a lot of possession, and didn’t give them a chance to come back into the game.
"It’s job done, not more than that, but a good one to keep the confidence high.
"We know now we’ve got a big game ahead of us at Arsenal, so let’s go there and try to get the three points as well."