Mignolet delighted to take ´big step´ with Liverpool

Simon Mignolet says he is relishing the challenge of taking a “big step forward” in his career with Liverpool.

The Belgian, who was the subject of a £10 million switch from Sunderland in June, is expected to compete with Pepe Reina for the number one spot at Anfield next season.

But he is confident of improving at the Merseyside club, and helping Brendan Rodgers’ side make a long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League.

“For me it’s a big step forward and I’m very pleased to be training with the team for two weeks now. I spoke to the manager and he told me that it’s going to be a big step forward,” he said.

“We play the first game on Saturday and after that, with the more we do on tour, I’ll see how big a step forward it is for me. At the moment, it’s only training and I have to get used to the players and the way of playing. Once we get going I’ll know what it’s going to be like.

“When I came in for the first couple of training sessions, I saw that everybody is very hungry and ambitious to get going, everybody wants to take a step forward and push on into the top four.

“There’s big ambition around the club. I also noticed that from the conversations I had with the goalkeeping coach and the gaffer. I saw that they are very ambitious, want to get forward, winning trophies and getting into the top four.”

Like Mignolet, Kolo Toure is among the four signings made by Rodgers since the opening of the transfer window, having arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City on July 1.

And, speaking at the pair’s official unveiling at the club’s Melwood training ground, the Ivorian expressed delight over sealing a move to Anfield.

“For me, it’s an honour to play for Liverpool – this club is unbelievable,” he said.

“I’ve just been here for two weeks and I’ve seen a lot of fantastic things. I’m proud and I will give my best to this football club.

“When I had to decide, when I had the phone call from Liverpool, you can’t joke with that. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. I was like, ‘wow’.”