Liverpool Stopper Expects to Benefit From Suarez Reconciliation

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet says Luis Suarez can inspire him to rapid improvement at Anfield.

Suarez returned from a 10 match ban in the League Cup third round loss to Manchester United in mid-week after a summer of uncertainty regarding his future with the Reds which included him being banished from first-team training after accusing manager Brendan Rodgers of making a u-turn over allowing him to leave.

But since returning to training and subsequently making his first appearance of the season, Mignolet, who joined from Sunderland in the summer, has learned much from the Uruguay international in training and says dealing with Suarez's quality week-in, week-out in training can only assist in his development.

"As a goalkeeper you never want to concede, but that was a good finish and he's scored past lots of goalkeepers," he said. "Seeing him come back into the squad is a big boost for us.

"Everyone knows the quality he has and it is what we need for Liverpool. Not only on matchdays but every single day in training. I see it every single day in training when I'm one v one with him and you see what he can do, so he will improve me as a goalkeeper as well.

"We know there's a lot more to come from him and I'm sure he will score goals and win games for Liverpool again."

Mignolet has made an impressive start to life at Liverpool, securing three clean sheets in eight games whilst also saving a penalty from Jonathan Walters on his debut against Stoke City.

The Belgian kept 11 clean sheets for a struggling Sunderland side last season and returns to the Stadium of Light this weekend for the first time since his summer move to Liverpool.

After the sacking of Paolo di Canio, Kevin Ball will lead a Sunderland side who have made a disastrous start to the season, failing to win any of their first five league games and as a result sit rock bottom of the Premier league.

And Mignolet says he returns to the north east with a heavy heart given recent problems.

"It's the first time I've been back and I'm really looking forward to going back to the Stadium," he said.

"There are a lot of people who I still know from my time there so I am looking forward to seeing them again and have a catch up. But the main thing is about getting the result we want and we have to make sure we get the three points.

"I keep in touch with some of the players, but also the staff and the people around there. I was there three years so I know a lot of people and I never like to see them struggling. They were unlucky at the start of the season so hopefully they can turn it around - but only after Sunday."