Chris Kirkland launches tirade about Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet

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The former Liverpool goalkeeper believes Loris Karius should start in goal for the Reds against Chelsea on Friday.

Chris Kirkland thinks Simon Mignolet should lose his place to Loris Karius in Liverpool’s starting line-up after he helped to gift Leicester a goal on Saturday evening, according to the Daily Mirror.

Mignolet was partially at fault for Leicester’s strike in last weekend’s 4-1 win with a short pass to Lucas Leiva, who then launched an inexplicable ball towards Jamie Vardy to slot pass Mignolet.

Kirkland, who played for the Reds between 2001 and 2006, believes the Belgium international put his teammate under unnecessary pressure by attempting to play the ball out of his own half.

“There’s so much made now about playing out from the back, which I understand, but there’s times to do it and the time to pass the ball along your own byline, that’s not the time to do it,” Kirkland told the Daily Mirror.

“That was an unnecessary goal, it was caused from something that shouldn’t happen. He’s been in the Premier League long enough and against Leicester as well, with the pace they’ve got up front, you’re going to get caught.

“I don’t care if you’re four, five-nil up, whatever, it’s taking unnecessary risks and you might get away with it a few times but you’re always going to get caught with it.”

Kirkland went on to commend Mignolet’s new teammate, Loris Karius, and believes the German should make his debut for the club against Chelsea on Friday night.

“I would have thrown him in on Saturday. If he’s been brought in as No.1 and he’s training and he’s ready then throw him in,” he continued.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him, he’s very cool on the ball, he’s very calm, he’s good with his feet, he’s confident in his own 18-yard box, he comes and takes things.

“Hopefully he’ll be a good fit for Liverpool.”

The Reds face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday night having experienced a mixed start to the season, with impressive victories over Arsenal and Leicester countered by the disappointing 2-0 defeat at Burnley.