Mignolet: We're satisfied but have to be more efficient
Liverpool can be satisfied with the manner of their Europa League victory over Augsburg according to Simon Mignolet, but the goalkeeper admits greater efficiency will be required moving forward.
A James Milner penalty was the difference between the Reds and their German opponents in the second leg of their tie at Anfield on Thursday night, securing a 1-0 result on aggregate.
It sent Jürgen Klopp’s team into the competition’s last 16 and included a third consecutive clean sheet for Mignolet, who helped to successfully defend against a late rally by the visitors.
The Belgian told Liverpoolfc.com: “We’re happy, of course. We wanted to go through so we’re very pleased with that. We played a very good game, especially in the first half.
“We reacted in a different way to how we started away in Augsburg. We were more on the front foot, more aggressive and put them under pressure.
“We scored the penalty and created more chances to finish the game off in the first half, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.
“Then in the last 10 or 15 minutes, they know if they score a goal they go through and you have to keep your nerve. Luckily, we did. Two clean sheets [in the tie], so we’re pleased.”
He added: “We need to be more efficient. We want to score more goals; the first step to doing that is creating chances. That’s what we did, so that’s a positive and we’ll take that forward into the next few games, to try to score more goals.”
Liverpool can now switch focus to Sunday’s Capital One Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley, having put thoughts of that game to one side until overcoming Augsburg.
Mignolet insists the squad will not let the anticipation and excitement surrounding the match enter into their thinking as they target the club’s first trophy in four years.
“We obviously look forward to it but we can’t get carried away with the occasion,” said the No.22.
“We have to stay calm, focus on our jobs and try to play the game similarly to the way we did when we played Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
“We know it’s going to be a different game and a tough game. We’ll let the fans enjoy the day at Wembley and we’ll focus on our jobs.”