It seems highly unlikely Simon Mignolet will be granted a move away from Liverpool, temporary or otherwise, before the close of the European transfer window on Friday.
The Belgian stopper wants to be given the opportunity to leave Anfield in search of regular first-team football, but the Reds have already let two 'keepers leave this summer in Loris Karius and Danny Ward. According to the Guardian's Andy Hunter, the Merseyside club are intent on retaining Mignolet as backup to new No. 1 Alisson.
Mignolet does not appear too happy about that stance. "I find it bizarre that Karius was loaned while I also had options to be loaned, but for some reason, that was not possible," the 30-year-old told Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws, per Hunter. "The transfer of Karius doesn't change anything for me. I have always been clear: I want to play."
What likely makes it worse for Mignolet is that Karius' new club for this season, Besiktas, were initially keen on bringing in the former Sunderland man before being rebuffed by Liverpool and switching their attention to the 25-year-old German. Hunter asserts Jurgen Klopp's side only wanted a permanent transfer for Mignolet, and that the goalkeeper failed to agree to personal terms with promoted Fulham while his preferred destination of Napoli were priced out of a deal.
Mignolet has played over 200 times for Liverpool since signing in 2013, but his last appearance came at the end of January in a 3-2 home defeat to since-relegated West Bromwich Albion. He is now the only senior deputy to Alisson at Anfield, a role which should see him afforded sporadic game time. It's clear, however, that is not enough for the player himself, at least in the long term.
