Liverpool's Summer Signing Opens Up On Effects of Rodgers' Rotation Plan

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet does not believe Brendan Rodgers' penchant for rotating his defensive options is the reason behind the club's leaky defence.

The Reds' manager added Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure, Aly Cissokho and Tiago Ilori to his squad during the summer following the departure of Jamie Carragher and the defensive upheaval appeared to have the desired effect as the club kept four clean sheets in their first six league games.

But after that promising start the club have lost that resilience at the back amid rotation and injury and have managed to keep just one clean sheet since the beginning of the September, conceding eight goals in their last four games to give them the unwanted title of the worst defensive record in the top six.

But Mignolet, who is also a new addition to Rodgers' back five, doesn't believe his manager's decision to rotate those in front of him is reason enough for woeful record, having seen what each of them have to offer on a day to day basis.

"I work day in day out with the lads and I know what they can do," Mignolet told the Liverpool Echo.

"All the defenders here are very talented, organised, motivated and concentrated. They are doing their very best to make sure we don't concede.

"They are all professional enough to deal with any changes.

"Martin Kelly came on at a difficult moment in the game against West Ham when we were struggling a bit and did well.

"It doesn't matter for me as a keeper who is in front of me. It's just about doing your job."

The Belgian international, who was crowned Sunderland's player of the season prior to his move to Anfield, added that while keeping a clean sheet is something he constantly drives to, winning games remains his and the club's priority.

"Before every game starts you look forward to keeping a clean sheet," the Belgian international continued.

"That's what I'm there for and that's what you want, but you are just one part of the team. The most important thing is to try to win the game.

"If we keep winning 4-1 until the end of the season, then I'll be happy."