Liverpool drop Simon Mignolet “indefinitely”

Brendan Rodgers has told Simon Mignolet he has been dropped from the Liverpool first team “for an indefinite period.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 25, 2014: Liverpool's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in action against Hull City during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Mignolet paid the price for his poor form on Sunday when he was dropped for Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Brad Jones started his first Premier League start since March 2013 and he will remain in goal until the Belgian convinces Rodgers he is worth recalling.

When asked whether 32-year-old Jones was now his first-choice goalkeeper, Rodgers said: “Yes. I said to Simon it was for an indefinite period.

Jones signed for Liverpool in 2010 after spells with Middlesbrough, Blackpool, Stockport, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham.

The Australian went on loan to Derby the year after signing for Liverpool and played seven league games for Rodgers when Jose Reina suffered a calf injury two seasons ago.

Rodgers has every faith in Jones and insists giving Mignolet a break from first-team action is the right thing to do.

“It is something that can happen to keepers, taking them out of the firing line to give them time to reflect,” the Liverpool boss said.

“Brad is very experienced and was always going to play in the (League Cup quarter-final against) Bournemouth (on Wednesday).

“He has played in a lot of games and Brad in my first year came in and did very well.

“(Against United) he didn’t have much to do other than take the ball out of the net.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 14, 2014: Liverpool's goalkeeper Brad Jones looks dejected as his side lose 3-0 to Manchester United during the Premier League match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Mignolet, signed to replace Reina at the start of last season, has made errors against Leicester and Ludogorets – among others – this term.

Rodgers said the B£9million former Sunderland stopper accepted the decision to drop him.

“Simon has been fine. He is a really good pro,” Rodgers added.

“I spoke to him and he accepted it.

“I just felt after the Basle game that I needed to make the change.

“We give the chance to every player. We had kept a few clean sheets but I felt it was something we needed to do.”

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PA