Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Simon Mignolet, Ludwig Augustinsson

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has insisted he remains fully committed to the club despite his recent spell on the bench.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has used Loris Karius between the sticks recently, and the youngster has done a decent job so far for the Premier League leaders.

Naturally, the decision has prompted questions over Mignolet's position, and while the Belgium international left no doubt he wants to play, he isn’t considering a transfer yet.

“No, I’m not thinking of leaving,” he told Limburg TV (h/t Tom Coast of Sport Witness). “I’m thinking about the future. I’m fully focused on Liverpool. Of course, I’d like to become the number one goalkeeper again. I’m not used to the bench, and I want that to change.”

Although he’s been much maligned in the past, Mignolet started the 2016-17 season in strong form for the Reds. However, Klopp clearly envisages Karius as the long-term presence between the sticks and has given the 23-year-old the responsibility over the past few weeks.

As noted here by WhoScored.com, despite the German’s reputation as a superior sweeper ‘keeper, Mignolet also fares well in this area:

The big doubts over the former Sunderland man have always come in his command of the penalty area, though. At times during the previous campaign, Mignolet looked frail underneath the high ball and teams would prey on Liverpool’s uncertainty in this area. Klopp, evidently, is unsure whether it’s an issue the Belgian can iron out.

Provided Karius continues to perform to a consistent standard, it’s difficult to see the 28-year-old winning his place back in the starting XI any time soon at Anfield. You sense there’d be plenty of suitors for a stable and proven Premier League goalkeeper if he was put up for sale, though.

Ludwig Augustinsson Offer Revealed

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

According to Calciomercato (h/t Sport Witness), Liverpool and West Ham United will face competition from AC Milan for FC Copenhagen left-back Ludwig Augustinsson.

It’s suggested in the report that both the Reds and the Hammers made bids for the Sweden international in the summer, although he eventually remained with the Danish champions. However, the Serie A side are said to have joined the race for the talented 22-year-old.

The Copenhagen man has made excellent progress since joining the club in 2015. Here is a look at what he’d potentially bring to Anfield:

Not only has the youngster been impressive on the domestic and international stage so far this season, he’s also excelled in the UEFA Champions League. Squawka Football highlighted him as a possible hidden gem earlier in the campaign:

Augustinsson was also a key part of the Sweden team that triumphed at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2015. His defensive appetite and unrelenting energy were hallmarks of that successful side, which toppled a talented Portugal team in the final. The youngster’s willingness to get forward and his concentration are both notable factors in his game.

Liverpool’s left-back position has been filled by James Milner for much of the season, with Alberto Moreno lacking the focus needed to cut it in the Premier League.

It’s an area of the squad that could do with some reinforcement as a result, and Augustinsson has shown the traits needed to do the job.