Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that the club would never have offered Simon Mignolet a new contract if they agreed with the goalkeeper's critics.
The Belgium international signed a new five-year deal on Monday.
The 27-year-old has come under fire of late having conceded three goals against Arsenal and allowing Manchester United's only shot on target from Wayne Rooney to get through.
Despite the recent criticism, Klopp has insisted that there is no negativity surrounding the shot-stopper at the club.
"We would not have offered him a new contract if we had the same thinking [as his critics]," Klopp told reporters. "People are talking about new goalkeepers, especially from Germany, but I have heard nothing bad about Simon here.
"It's normal for Simon to be involved in one or two goals conceded, but the package is perfect. He is young enough to develop and gives the whole team a good feeling when he's in the starting lineup."
Mignolet joined the Reds from Sunderland in the summer of 2013.
Danielle Joynson
