Gary Neville says Manchester United fans will ‘sniff blood’ if replacement Brad Jones makes early mistake as Mignolet pays price for poor form.
Simon Mignolet has paid the price for Liverpool’s disastrous recent run by being dropped by Brendan Rodgers for today’s clash with Manchester United.
Brad Jones, the Australian goalkeeper signed from Middlesbrough in 2010, has been called up to make his first league since March 2013 – a 3-1 defeat at Southampton.
Gary Neville, the former Manchester United defender-turned-pundit, gave his none-too-impressed verdict on Rodgers’ decision.
This [Old Trafford] crowd eats goalkeepers alive, Neville said on Sky Sports. We talk about risks but that is a big risk.
This crowd will sniff blood, if [Jones] makes an early mistake.
Mignolet has been criticised for a series of unconvincing displays this season, with his shaky performances at Crystal Palace and West Ham leading to costly Premier League defeats.
The 26-year-old also struggled during the 2-2 Champions League draw against Ludogorets in Sofia last month, when the Bulgarian team scored a late equaliser to deny Liverpool a much-needed victory.
Mignolet had looked set to avoid the axe due to Rodgers being unconvinced by the ability of Jones to restore confidence at the back.
The 32-year-old has made just 23 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions since arriving at Anfield, having acted as deputy to Pepe Reina prior to Mignolet’s £9m arrival from Sunderland eighteen months ago.
