Mignolet needs to up his game (ESPN article)

by Dave Usher for ESPN

The goal Liverpool conceded in the final minute of Tuesday's Champions League group game against Ludogorets was not a direct result of one individual error; it could have been prevented in numerous ways, and several players should be feeling they could have done better.

For example: Raheem Sterling might have released the ball a little earlier, and Alberto Moreno will surely be ruing his overeagerness to get forward when it simply wasn't necessary. Additionally, the three midfield players should be asking themselves how they were all bypassed by one simple pass, while Dejan Lovren needs to realise that allowing strikers to run in behind him and through on goal is not usually going to end well. That was the third time in five games he's let that happen. Sergio Aguero and Dani Abalo made Lovren pay; Emanuel Adebayor didn't, but the Croatian is being exposed too often.

Perhaps the greatest concern, however, was the ease with which goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was beaten once again. The Belgian came rushing off his line when there was no real need to do so. Had he stayed put, Lovren would not have had to dive in and may have been able to force Abalo a little wider, which would have made the chance considerably more difficult (especially since Liverpool's Javier Manquillo was also coming around on the cover). It would have taken a fine strike from the Ludogorets' front man to find the back of the net, but instead he was able to go around the overcommitted keeper with ease and roll the ball into an empty net.

It was reminiscent in many ways of the goal Sergio Aguero scored against the Reds at the Etihad a few weeks back, when Mignolet's positioning was so poor he may as well have been sat in the stands watching. Aguero had half the goal to place his shot into; it was ridiculous.

Mignolet often stays back when he should come out, and he comes out when he should stay back. Decision-making appears to be a real issue for him. It's beginning to look as if goalkeeper may be a problem position for Liverpool.

Read the full article here.