The 31-year-old joined the Reds from Sunderland in June 2013, after playing more than 100 times for the Black Cats in all competitions, but the mega signing of Alisson Becker limited the playing time of the Belgian.
Speaking with Belgian newspaper Het Belang van Limburg, the former Sunderland shot-stopper explained why he left Merseyside for Brugge.
The Belgium international said it was almost ‘impossible’ to convince the former Borussia Dortmund head coach to make a place for him in the team.
“Indeed. If I could really fight for my place, I might have stayed. But if I had ended up in goal if Alisson picked up injury, I would be allowed to push ten shots out of the box,” Mignolet said.
“Then Alisson could immediately claim his place again. And even if he pushed the ball into his own goal, he would still retain [his place in the starting XI]. What sense did it make for me?”
“No, because I knew that the opportunity existed. I haven’t thought once: ‘S**t, now Liverpool is in the Premier League race and I’m gone.’ Of course, I could have stayed with Liverpool to earn my money, challenge for the league title and the Champions League.
“However, as long as you are not on the starting XI yourself, a price feels different. So I would rather play in the starter at Club Brugge than grabbing the English title as a substitute at Liverpool.”
Mignolet has found football happiness again, currently playing in the Belgium Pro League with Club Brugge, who are currently top of the league with four-points ahead of Gent.
