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Mignolet: Liverpool's goalkeeper rotation is 'not a healthy situation'

PAUL ELLIS / AFP / Getty

Simon Mignolet admitted he's considering his future on Merseyside following his latest removal from Liverpool's lineup.

Jurgen Klopp picked Loris Karius as his starting goalkeeper for the second match in a row against Manchester City on Sunday, and indicated the No.1 spot is currently in the German's hands.

But with Belgium preparing for the upcoming World Cup and his 30th birthday looming in March, Mignolet is keen for first-team football now - even if he has to look for an alternative employer.

"Ten days ago, after the game against Burnley, I had a conversation with Klopp," Mignolet told Belgian media outlet Sporza, according to the Press Association. "In the Christmas period we had rotated again and I felt that that was not a healthy situation for a 'keeper.

"Klopp then told me what on Sunday was confirmed before and after the match but of course I'm not happy with that - but no heavy words have come afterwards."

Mignolet said he respects the decision of his manager, but added that he's "not satisfied" with bench-warming duties at this point in his career. The Belgian shot-stopper was an ever-present figure in the league for Sunderland in 2012-13, recording an impressive 11 clean sheets despite the club's flirtations with relegation, and was snapped up by Brendan Rodgers in June 2013. He was the bona fide first-choice goalkeeper during his first three seasons with Liverpool, until Klopp signed Karius from Mainz in the summer of 2016.

"I always try to stay calm, and I have already grown stronger from such situations," Mignolet continued.

"But of course I also have to think about my own future, the only thing I can do is focus on the training and do my best. I'm 30 years old and the World Cup is coming in. This situation can not last too long, that's clear. I cannot say more about it."

Karius is expected to start again in next Monday's skirmish at bottom-placed Swansea City.

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