Mignolet: We're only thinking about Kazan now
Simon Mignolet acknowledges Liverpool have travelled to Russia in buoyant mood following Saturday's victory over Chelsea – but insists all thoughts of that 3-1 success at Stamford Bridge have been put behind them.
The Reds take on Rubin Kazan in a crucial Europa League clash on Thursday night aiming to enhance their prospects of securing qualification from Group B after three successive 1-1 draws in the tournament.
Confidence is high within the squad after that resounding triumph in London, but Mignolet has underlined why it’ll count for nothing once Liverpool step out at the Kazan Arena.
The ‘keeper told Liverpoolfc.com: “There is huge belief and confidence within the group and that feeling of scoring goals and winning games, you want to keep it.
“That’s why we’re looking forward to the next game. Everybody was very happy with the result against Chelsea, but that’s behind us now and there’s no point thinking anymore about it. We have to move on and make sure we do the same thing against Kazan.
“It’s an important game to try to improve in the group and hopefully we can get the three points in Kazan.
“It’s not going to be easy away in Russia, but we’ll prepare ourselves to try to get the victory.”
Liverpool are one point ahead of both Rubin and Bordeaux, but four behind leaders FC Sion in the current standings.
The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by the Russian side at Anfield last month, meaning they go into the return contest in second place in Group B.
Nevertheless, Mignolet insists they’ve been doing their homework at Melwood in preparation.
He explained: “After the home game and now we know them a little bit better than in the first game and before Thursday, we’ll analyse the games they’ve played since they came to Anfield so we’re up to date with everything, and we’ll make sure we’re ready on Thursday.
“Like any team who plays in Europe, any game you play is a tough one, especially away to Kazan. It’s never going to be easy - it’s going to be a tough fixture for us because they showed what they could do at Anfield.
“We want to get the three points and we’ll go there with huge belief after the Chelsea game, knowing that it is not going to be easy for us.”
Conditions in Kazan will be tough, with temperatures expected to be around the freezing mark – but come what may, that’ll have no bearing on the contest, stresses Mignolet.
“It will be different because it’s not yet at those temperatures here in England, but as a professional footballer you have to adapt to those kinds of things,” he said.
“We will be training the day before over in Russia, which makes it a bit easier to settle and know what it’s like. It can’t be an excuse, we’re used to it and will face similar temperatures here in winter.
“I am sure there will be nobody complaining about, or discussing, that kind of thing. We just have to focus on the job in hand, which is playing football, and we’re more than professional enough to play our game.”