Mignolet: We'll learn from defeat and go again on Saturday

The Reds exited the tournament at the third-round stage on Wednesday night following a 2-1 defeat by the Blues at Anfield, with late strikes from Emerson and Eden Hazard cancelling out Daniel Sturridge’s opener.

The sides will clash once more on Saturday evening as Jürgen Klopp’s men will look to bounce back by extending their advantage over Chelsea to five points in the fledgling table - and Mignolet feels the post-match analysis at Melwood in the next few days can prove beneficial in helping Liverpool ready themselves for the challenge of trying to clinch a victory in London.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: “I think we didn’t deserve to go out of the competition. We had enough chances to win the game and go forward, but unfortunately, we lost it in the end and we go out of a competition we wanted to win.

“It’s a disappointment, but we don’t have much time to reflect on it and have to go forward. Again, it’s a game against Chelsea [next], so we’ll learn the lessons from tonight’s game and hopefully we can beat them on Saturday.

“There is not much time to pick ourselves up, but I don’t think you can prepare for it any better than facing the opponent three days before. We have to learn from it, try to do better and then hopefully get the three points at Chelsea on Saturday.”

After Chelsea had begun the cup tie strongly at Anfield, Liverpool found their feet in the contest and Sturridge’s well-taken opener was a deserved one.

The Reds had further opportunities to extend their advantage but were unable to capitalise, which led to them ultimately being punished in the final 10 minutes by Emerson’s close-range finish and a stunning solo effort from Hazard.

Mignolet added: “We created a lot of chances for a second and even third goal, but it didn’t happen. They came back into the game after the free-kick and then my fellow countryman made a great goal, which is very, very disappointing but we have to learn from it, take it forward and make sure it doesn’t happen again on Saturday.”

Mignolet’s inclusion in goal was one of eight changes made by Klopp from Saturday’s win over Southampton as he replaced Alisson Becker between the sticks.

“I was pleased to be on the pitch,” he said. “It was a while since I’ve played, but I felt good in the game. To be on the pitch again was really nice and I think I did my job the best I could.

“I keep trying to work hard in training, like I always do, and help the team when needed. That’s all I can do, really.

“You want to play, that’s the only thing you can do, but in training we push each other. Me and Alisson work together on a good basis, our relationship has been good ever since we came together and then we’ve got a few younger boys who are pushing us forward as well.

“We have a good group and the only thing we can do is put out the best goalkeeper for Liverpool Football Club. In the end, that’s the most important thing.”

As well as the No.22, there were also first appearances of the season for Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno, as well as a maiden start for Fabinho.

Mignolet continued: “With the squad we have, we have so many good players. We made eight changes, but you saw what kind of line-up we can put out against Chelsea – and that’s credit to the squad we’ve got.

“There’s a lot of competition for places and cup competitions like this are chances for us to play, but we have to accept it and move forward. The only thing we can do is try to push the 11 who are starting on Saturday to make sure they do their jobs.”