Klopp to stick with Mignolet for Merseyside derby

Simon Mignolet is Liverpool's No. 1 goalkeeper once again.

Manager Jurgen Klopp will give the Belgian the start in the Merseyside derby Monday following his clean-sheet performance midweek against Middlesbrough.

The German dropped summer recruit Loris Karius to the bench after a series of gaffes led to intense criticism from British pundits and former players.

"I don't want to chance each week - that was not the plan," Klopp said at a news conference. "Simon had a really good game (against Middlesbrough) so he will be in goal, for sure.

"I tried to explain it after the game: It was not about pushing Loris through the situation. Now he can use the time in training and have no pressure, only the pressure he makes himself with getting better."

Mignolet said he has "sympathy" for his compatriot, who allowed six goals in two matches before his demotion.

They both attended a goalkeepers' union with coach John Achterberg and third-choice netminder Alex Manninger this week.

"We are teammates so of course I have sympathy. I am 28 now and I have been through it as well," said Mignolet, according the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce. "At a club like Liverpool, one mistake gets really big out of nothing. I know what it is like and it's not nice."

Whether Karius will reclaim his place in goal before the New Year is uncertain. But it's fair to conclude Klopp will continue to ride the hot hand, and right now that's Mignolet.