Simon Mignolet will battle Pepe Reina to be Liverpool No 1

Posted Wednesday, June 26, 2013 by The Sun

Simon Mignolet will battle Pepe Reina to be Liverpool No 1
SIMON SAYS ... keeper Mignolet has signed five-year Kop deal

SIMON MIGNOLET last night became Liverpool’s fourth summer signing after a £10million move to Anfield.

And now the Belgian keeper plans to fight off Pepe Reina in the battle to secure the Kop’s No 1 spot.

Sunderland’s Mignolet, 24, passed a medical at the Reds’ Melwood HQ before penning a five-year deal.

His arrival raises huge doubts about the future of Spaniard Reina, 30, who was a target for Barcelona earlier in the summer.

And Mignolet insisted he was ready to take on veteran Reina.

He said: “It’s a challenge but that’s what you want. You want to play in the big games, you want to play for a big club and to play with pressure.

“I’m very confident and I can’t wait to get my first clean sheet.

“I’ve been in big competitions wherever I’ve been — in Belgium with the national team and in Sunderland with Craig Gordon and Keiren Westwood, who are internationals.

“Now it’s the same again with Pepe and Brad Jones.”

Rodgers has already landed new signings Kolo Toure, Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto.

The Kop boss said: “I am delighted that we have been able to sign one of the top keepers in the Premier League.

“Simon joins a club that gives him a chance to demonstrate and improve his huge talent.”

Reina has been first choice at Anfield since his £6m move from Villarreal in 2005 and been a hugely popular player on the Anfield terraces.

Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio said: “Simon is a fantastic footballer, a fantastic professional and a fantastic lad and I would like to personally thank him for his contribution last season.

“He was crucial to what we achieved and he goes with the very best wishes of everyone at the club.

“Our aim is to build a competitive squad and this deal will give us further ability to strengthen the side.”