Liverpool must sign replacement for Simon Mignolet despite recent form says John Aldridge

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge insists that Simon Mignolet's recent form should not change Brendan Rodgers' pursuit of a goalkeeper, with Chelsea stopper Petr Cech identified as the leading candidate to replace the Belgian at Anfield.

Mignolet's return to the Reds first team has coincided with Rodgers' side going to within two points of the top four, with his ninth clean sheet of the season coming in the impressive win over fellow Champions League qualification hopefuls Southampton.

The Belgium international was dropped "indefinitely" from the Liverpool first team earlier in the season before being reinstated following injury to Brad Jones and throughout a 10-match unbeaten run stretching back to December - Aldridge says there has been no better player.

"Simon Mignolet has been our best player for me for the past two months or so," he told the Liverpool Echo. "When you think back, he was shot to bits, when you looked at him he seemed vacant.

"He got a little bit of luck when Brad Jones – who wasn't playing well either – was injured and he got his opportunity. He's changed his career around.

"We know he's always been a terrific shot-stopper, the best Liverpool have had since Ray Clemence I believe.

"Whatever Brendan has done it has worked and it's benefiting everyone at the back. The communication between Mignolet and the back three is now 100% better. [Martin] Skrtel is playing well. [Emre] Can too.

"We're getting clean sheets and it's no coincidence that since Mignolet came back the goals against record is very good."

Rodgers indicated in January that he was looking to sign a new goalkeeper during the mid-season window or even beyond, and despite a recent return to form Aldridge agrees that fresh resources are required in the position.

"Do I think his return to form means we don't need to go and spend on a keeper? No," he added. "Everybody knows we need another top goalkeeper whether Brad Jones stays or not.

"With someone like Petr Cech, he'd want to be a number one goalkeeper but we certainly need a big signing."

Cech has been displaced by Thibaut Courtois as first choice in the Chelsea goal, making just five Premier League appearances this season and looks set to sit out the League Cup final this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted throughout the season that Cech is not for sale despite the Czech Republic international being constantly linked with a switch away from Stamford Bridge.