Liverpool take on Hull City at Anfield tomorrow and will look to maintain their good start to the season.
Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet warms up before the match
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has told the club’s website that the challenge for the side this year is to be able to grind results out and take their opportunities – like they did in their win over Chelsea last Friday.
The Reds have shown their ability to blow sides away in spells of games already this season – notably against Arsenal and Leicester City, and while the Belgian goalkeeper wants the Reds to start quickly against Hull City this weekend, he’s acknowledged there are going to be times when Liverpool are going to need to meet very different challenges.
He told the club’s official website: “Last year we played well against the top teams and had good results against the top teams, but we were not as consistent against the teams where we should normally get the three points,” he continued.
“That’s the challenge for us this year – to be efficient and to make sure that sometimes you have to grind a victory out. Like we did at Chelsea.
Liverpool’s James Milner clears
“We got 2-0 up in the first half and in the second half we were under the cosh because of their physicality, crosses and the demands Chelsea gave us. We dealt with it, saw it through and got the victory in the end.
“That’s something we’ll have to do against teams that are physical and play long balls. We need to make sure we’re up for that and ready for it. Sometimes those are the most difficult ones.”
A big win for Liverpool tomorrow could do wonders for their confidence. They are odds-on favourites to overcome Hull City, a side that has returned to the top flight but have enjoyed a pretty strong start to the season.
Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates
Liverpool have shown they can beat the bigger opponents so far this season, and it feels like a big game for the Reds in terms of proving their credentials as a side that can challenge towards the top of the table.
As for Mignolet, he may have to make do with a place on the bench against the Tigers. Mignolet started the Reds first six games of the season but Loris Karius was handed his debut against Derby County on Tuesday night in the EFL Cup, and could continue in goal.
Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet warms up before the match
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