Mignolet: We won't even think of events elsewhere
Liverpool will not even consider what is happening elsewhere as they try to secure a Champions League place today, insists Simon Mignolet.
The objective for the Reds against Middlesbrough is very simple this afternoon: win the game at Anfield and they know a fourth-place Premier League finish is theirs.
Third position is not out of the question either, with Manchester City’s result at Watford relevant to that possibility. Arsenal, who trail Jürgen Klopp’s side in the table, host Everton meanwhile.
But, according to Mignolet, none of the permutations will figure in the minds of the Liverpool players when they step onto the pitch – instead, they’ll be wholly preoccupied with the quest for the three points that would complete their mission.
“We won’t [look at other scores] because it’s at the same time and we will only be thinking about our game,” the goalkeeper told Premier League Productions.
“We know if we win our game, all the rest goes out of the window.
“We just have to play our game and show that we want it, together with the fans at Anfield who can give us that extra edge for getting the victory. We’ll be preparing ourselves for that.”
Much of the pre-match discussion in the media has included consideration of how Middlesbrough are likely to approach the contest.
The north east side cannot avoid relegation to the Championship and therefore have nothing specifically to play for, though former Reds winger Stewart Downing warned they intend to aim for a positive sign-off against his old club.
“Every football player is professional to turn and up play their game,” said Mignolet.
“It will be a tough game against Middlesbrough. They will not be willing to go out of the Premier League without turning up. We’re expecting a very tough game.
“But we have to look at ourselves; we have to play at home and show our performance and show our game together with the fans that can give us the edge to get the victory.”
The Belgium international has been involved in numerous pressure games since joining the club in the summer of 2013, such as the Premier League title challenge of his first season and two cup finals under Klopp.
But he prefers to view this match through a lens of opportunity.
“It’s one game, 90 minutes of football where we have to win,” Mignolet added.
“Every week is pressure and we relish that pressure. Everybody wants to do that, as a football player you want to be involved in big games for big clubs where you play for certain things.
“Everybody in the dressing room knows how much we’ve been fighting for this throughout the season. Before the season, everybody was speaking about the objective of top four and we knew how big the competition was going to be.
“We’re in a good position with everything in our own hands with one game to go. Why not use this opportunity to get this top-four spot?”