Jurgen Klopp has paid a glowing tribute to Simon Mignolet after his permanent departure to Club Brugge was confirmed, declaring the goalkeeper a 'standout professional' and 'outstanding person'.
The 31-year-old brought an end to his six-year stay at Anfield as he completed a move back to his homeland in a deal worth up to €9million (8.26m) on Monday.
Mignolet's return to Belgium comes after a difficult 18 months in which he saw Loris Karius and then Alisson Becker chosen as Klopp's first choice between the sticks ahead of him.
But the Reds manager could not have spoken more highly of his departing 'keeper after his time on Merseyside was ended by a transfer to the Belgian top-flight.
“If you were to ask me to write a list of the most standout professionals I’ve worked with in the game – in a career of well over 30 years – Simon Mignolet would be competing for the number one spot,” he told the club's official website.
“The respect he commands in our dressing room is unrivalled. An outstanding athlete, an outstanding person, and an international-class ‘keeper.
“The truth is I don’t want Simon to leave – why would I? He’s a ‘keeper good enough to start for all the teams in the Premier League.
“But this is a little like the situation we faced with Lucas Leiva a few seasons ago now. Sometimes you have someone whose contribution to the club means you have to consider their welfare also. Simon is such a person.
“The service he has given this club during his time here means I cannot ignore an opportunity for him that will impact so positively on his future. I think what he has done for LFC means he earns the right to do something that helps him in this moment.
“Brugge are so lucky to have him. The shape he is in – the quality he has – he could play 10 years for this team if both want that.
“I will always be grateful for everything Simon has done for me and the staff while we have been here and I know his teammates will miss him also.
“But we say farewell and good luck with a host of happy memories and we tell him the best seats in the house are available to him and his family whenever they want to come back to Anfield in the future.”
