Mignolet has point to prove

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet intends to use his axing from the side as a positive experience as he returns looking to prove he has benefited from the break.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said the Belgium international would be sidelined for an “indefinite” period after dropping him for the match at Manchester United a fortnight ago.

However, the 26-year-old earned an unexpected reprieve when Brad Jones was forced off with a thigh injury 15 minutes into the 1-0 win at Burnley on St Stephen’s Day, and Mignolet now looks set for a second chance against Swansea tonight.

He and Rodgers held a frank meeting in the manager’s office ahead of the Old Trafford clash, and Mignolet went away to work on his game during his spell on the sidelines.

While he has returned ahead of schedule, it does not mean he has not learned something from his exile.

“We spoke together and cleared up a few things and I think that was a positive discussion,” the Belgian said.

“I will not discuss what we spoke about, but it was an honest meeting — why not?

“There is always a reason and discussion why, and I am a guy who always tries to speak and be positive and work hard on my game, and that is what I have done in this period with the goalie coach (John Achterberg) and Jonesy.

“Sometimes you have to make something positive from a negative thing like going out of the team, which I’ve tried to do.

“It is always difficult at first but I am a 26-year-old goalkeeper and I know what I have to work on, things in your game can still improve.

“You can reflect on your game and look at certain things where maybe, with the busy period we’ve had, you wouldn’t have had the chance, and that is what I have done.

“You learn a lot and you can move on and hopefully we can build on that.

“I don’t have to prove anything. The only thing I can do is work hard and do my best and show what I am capable of on the pitch.”

Mignolet was mercilessly taunted by Burnley fans with almost every touch of the ball and he did not help himself by drilling one clearance into Danny Ings and scrambling to claim the loose ball while somehow allowing a Mamadou Sakho backpass to run out for a corner before he attempted to kick it.

But the goalkeeper, who has been under scrutiny all season, insists he does not hear the barracking, let alone allow it to affect him.

“I don’t hear it. You get on with the game,” he said.

Everton counterpart Tim Howard last week suggested it was a long and difficult road back after being dropped, but Mignolet rejected that suggestion.

“That is his opinion — I don’t have to agree with it,” he added. “You have to deal with the game how it comes.

“I played 75 minutes and kept a clean sheet and we got three points (at Burnley). I’ll see what happens in the next game.”

Meanwhile, Jonjo Shelvey has been told to “wise up” by his Swansea manager Garry Monk, who says he will not tolerate the midfielder’s “laziness” any more.

Former Liverpool midfielder Shelvey returns to Anfield tonight as part of a Swans squad riding high in eighth place in the Premier League, but whether the 22-year-old features against his old club after Monk’s comments remains open to debate.

Shelvey was substituted in the win over Aston Villa on St Stephen’s Day following his seventh yellow card of the season and Monk believes the Londoner’s disciplinary problems are being caused by his lack of application.

“I have spoken to him clearly about it,” Monk said.

“We can’t afford silly bookings and it cost him being on the pitch against Villa because any slight mistimed tackle could have been a red card. Jonjo has to wise up because that yellow card came from laziness and he has to be better than that. I have spoken to him a number of times and there is only so many times you can say it.”