Simon Mignolet has insisted ‘you never know’ when it comes to Liverpool’s chances of progressing in the Champions League this evening.
The Reds host Real Madrid at Anfield in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, looking to overcome a 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Madrid.
The odds are very much against Jürgen Klopp’s side heading into the game, with few predicting Liverpool to progress after their performances last week and this season in general.
They do, though, have a history of turning things around in the Champions League, with their remarkable comeback against Barcelona in 2019 remaining strong in the memory.
Mignolet was a part of that success, and he insists that you can’t write off his former team when it comes to European football.
“It will be difficult, but with Liverpool in the Champions League, you never know,” he told De Tribune, relayed by Sporza.
“Just like I have with STVV, I’m sure I still look at Liverpool with a different feeling when they play. I also still know a lot of players on the pitch.
“Let’s hope they not only push on in the Champions League but above all they can qualify for next year’s Champions League because they have a fatter job of that in the Premier League at the moment.”
A big problem for Liverpool this season has been the absence of Virgil van Dijk, who has been out injured since suffering a cruciate ligament back in October.
The Dutchman’s injury lay off has left the Reds with a huge hole in the middle of their defence, a problem which has only been compounded by injuries to Joel Matip and Joe Gomez as well.
It’s a problem which has caused issues elsewhere, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker nowhere near the same level he has set over the last two years since his arrival at Anfield.
That has seen the Brazilian questioned in some corners, but Mignolet believes it all comes down to Van Dijk’s absence.
“That (Alisson’s form) will have several reasons,” he added.
“On the one hand, he has had a few injuries, but there is also the fact that they have been missing Virgil van Dijk for almost the whole season.
“That’s a chunk of stability that’s gone anyway. That was actually already a difference when I was there. Van Dijk came when I ended up on the bench.
“From the moment he started playing, we stopped goals. Liverpool with or without him is a huge difference, I think.”
