• Premier League

Rodgers backs under-fire Mignolet to pull through

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is strong enough to cope with Anfield great Bruce Grobbelaar's stinging criticism, according to boss Brendan Rodgers.

Grobbelaar, who won six league titles and a European Cup during his 13 years at the club, this week urged the club to buy another goalkeeper.

He said Mignolet was not commanding enough, branding him "worse than Dracula" - a joke referring to Bram Stoker's vampire character being afraid of crosses. The Belgium international's fumble led to an opening goal for Ludogorets in Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League draw in Bulgaria.

Rodgers: I'm favourite for the sack

Brendan Rodgers is under pressure © Getty Images

• Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he has no fears about being one of the favourites to lose his job and accepts it is part of the "short-termism" attached to modern football.
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But Rodgers says he has had a "good chat" with the 26-year-old, signed from Sunderland for £9 million in June 2013, and believes he will pull through.

Rodgers said: "Simon's fine. I had a good chat with him today. We paid a lot of money for him to come in. He saved us in a number of games in my time here.

"Simon's form is just like the team's. We all need to be better collectively, as a squad. He's coping well. It's never easy. Whether criticism is deserved or not, you won't like it. But it's part of the sport. You have to focus on being the best you can be in your next game and your next training session. That's something that he's done.

"It comes with losing games in football and maybe not playing so well. When you're at Liverpool, the focus is magnified, because we're one of the great leading clubs in the world. It comes with the job."

Rodgers was careful not to criticise Grobbelaar directly when asked to respond to his comments, but made clear that he feels other former players have been far more supportive.

He said: "I read very little of what is said. Everyone will have an opinion, whether it's a former player or a supporter. Some people are paid to be critical, and some are not.

"You don't forget the support in difficult moments, both on and of the pitch. I'm thankful I've got guys here, former players such as Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Kenny [Dalglish] and the guys here, absolute legends of the club who are unequivocal in their support. Win, lose or draw, I always get something from them.

"Steve McManaman is another one. These guys are wonderful players for this club. They see the difficult moments we're in but are 100 percent behind us. I tend to focus on these guys who are real supporters of the club and want the club to do well.

"I will always respect the opinions of former players and great players at this club. I'll take it on board, but I'm more focused on my own job and the qualities we need to succeed."

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