Just How Important Could Simon Mignolet's Penalty Save Be For Liverpool Football Club?

Psychology

The boost received by the players after Mignolet's save was as clear and obvious as the hand ball that preceded the penalty. The ten outfield players had started to tire after relentless off the ball pressing and an equaliser looked inevitable. Nobody wants to deal with three big strikers when they're running on empty. The point here is what the save gave Liverpool in the shortest of short terms - it gave them the adrenaline and that little bit more motivation to finish the job they should have finished thirty minutes ago. Had Walters converted the spot kick then heads may have dropped and chests would certainly not have been pushed out in defiance. Gerrard's reaction, in particular, summed it up. The norm these days is for the Reds to work hard and concede whilst dominating - much to the anger of every Liverpool supporter. It's as if the big Belgian had torn that "normal script" up and Gerrard - having seen more botched jobs at Anfield than most - was evidently completely overjoyed. Perhaps even he can now believe that this squad is capable of riding these difficult circumstances without capitulating at the most inappropriate of times. Brendan Rodgers and the playing staff can now head to Villa Park, Old Trafford or wherever knowing that they can deal with the highly pressurised situations that the Premier League throws up week in, week out. Situations such as Newcastle at home (1-0 down after dominating), Stoke away (the Reds capitulated as soon as they took the lead) and West Brom home (lost 2-0 despite dominating for eighty minutes) could be prevented now the players know they have a 'keeper who can actually come to their rescue. Reina was a popular Anfield character but his nickname of "No Save Reina" was justified. With the midfield and defence now seemingly protecting by a trust worthy goalkeeper, the Reds can afford to take that extra risk and perhaps break down these stubborn defences. For Liverpool's faithful, let's hope Jan Molby is correct in his assessment: "the dramatic nature of the win over Stoke was a massive psychological boost for Simon Mignolet and the Liverpool squad in general".