Simon Mignolet Ripped Apart by Gary Neville After Phil Jagielka Goal

Gary Neville believes Simon Mignolet should have done more to prevent Phil Jagielka's 25-yard thunderbolt during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Everton and has questioned the keeper's overall technique.

The Belgian stopper appeared powerless as the centre-back slammed home a last-minute corker to end the Merseyside derby all square. Jagielka's effort violently swerved and crashed off the bar before rippling the net.

Neville dissected Mignolet's goalkeeping style in detail on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show, suggesting the stopper continues to make one key mistake when attempting to save long-range strikes. The former Manchester United defender believes Mignolet's starting position—an almost crouched hunch on his line—is too low to deal with fizzers from distance.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

"I'd seen it last season and didn't mention it then and then I saw it on Saturday and thought that it's a pattern" said Neville,  per Sky Sports. "It's a technical error for me, the way in which he is crouched down, and that's the reason I mention it."

Neville pinpointed a trio of examples: Jagielka's strike, Aaron Ramsey's goal during Arsenal's home win over Liverpool last season and Alvaro Negredo's Boxing Day winner for Manchester City.

"It's three goals in big games," said Neville, reported by Sky Sports. "There might be more, but those are the three that I remember, particularly on Saturday because it was such a big moment in the game."

Neville also compared Mignolet's position to arguably the world's best goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, tweeted via football writer Kristof Terreur:

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This was the detail. Well noticed, I must admit. Gary Neville comparing Mignolet's low starting position to Neuer's. pic.twitter.com/pwQHmUg5IK

— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) September 29, 2014"

In fairness to Mignolet, both Jagielka and Ramsey's goals appear untouchable. Mignolet should have saved Negredo's chip—he managed to grasp the ball before dropping it in—which is perhaps the best example of where this low stance is holding the former Sunderland keeper's game back.

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Mignolet is a decent shot-stopper and possesses useful reactions. He often appears nervous from crosses and fails to dominate his box. Manager Brendan Rodgers recently called on the 26-year-old to be "aggressive" when dealing with high balls, as reported by Paul Joyce of the Express, as murmurs start to suggest the current No. 1 is under pressure.

Speculation has linked former Barcelona star Victor Valdes to the club, but Mignolet remains unmoved by suggestions he may face a battle to remain between the Anfield sticks, per Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo. Mignolet surmised that, in the scheme of things, he doesn't feel any pressure at all:

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If you play for a big club, you have to accept that is the way it is, but I don't read anything into that. I am here to play my game and to do my best every week. I can only work hard in training, be positive and make sure I play well. 

The only pressure is what you put yourself under. What is pressure? Pressure is what is happening in Iraq at the moment where there is a war. That is pressure.

"

Mignolet certainly has something to prove during the upcoming run against Basel, West Brom, Queens Park Rangers and Real Madrid.

The Reds have started slowly this season, winning just two of six Premier League matches, and need to build confidence if they are to improve on the dismal Champions League opener that saw them scrape past minnows Ludogorets.

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher is correct in saying Mignolet is yet to make a truly season-defining "big save" for the club, per Sky Sports, and that he needs to improve quickly. Liverpool are no longer at a stage where they can afford to carry individuals who aren't up to the task.

Mignolet is a talented keeper and has the potential to be a match-winner, but his timid approach isn't in keeping with the rest of Rodgers' squad. He is certainly a prime candidate to be discarded in the manager's search for improvements, although free-agent Valdes will need to prove his fitness before heading to the club.

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