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Simon Mignolet is Liverpool FC’s new undisputed No 1 .

The departure of Pepe Reina on a season-long loan to Napoli provided confirmation that the £9million signing from Sunderland had been bought to replace the Spaniard rather than compete with him for a starting spot.

After eight years and 394 appearances of loyal service, Reina’s exit marks the end of an era.

There are some big boots to fill but Mignolet insists he can rise to the challenge and play a leading role in a new chapter in Liverpool’s history.

“Now Pepe is gone, the only thing I can say is that I wish him the very best of luck in his further career,” he said.

“I haven’t spoken to him because he hasn’t been at the club in pre-season but he was a big player here.

“To be honest, it doesn’t really matter who played in your position before.

Whenever you move to one of the biggest clubs in the world there is always going to be pressure on you.

“Pepe going doesn’t really make a difference to me personally. It’s the same as before as I just have to look at myself.

“I have to work hard, train hard and make sure I do my best in every single training session, regardless of what other keepers are here.

“Pepe maybe gone but there is still a lot of competition in the squad with Brad Jones, Danny Ward and myself here.

“I have to focus on myself and show that I’m ready for when the season starts to do the job I’m asked to do.”

Video: Brendan Rodgers on Pepe Reina and Simon Mignolet

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Liverpool’s most expensive keeper ever knows he owes a debt of gratitude to boss Brendan Rodgers, who has taken a gamble by ditching Reina in favour of the Belgium international.

However, he insists the fee won’t be a burden as he looks to establish himself at Anfield.

“It’s been a big show of faith in me, not only by the manager but also by the club,” he said.

“Brendan has been very supportive and given me a lot of confidence which is what you need from a manager if you are a goalie.

“He speaks to me a lot and the welcome I’ve had from all the staff and players has been amazing.

“From the first day I arrived I felt at home, that’s what you want as a new player.

“When you are a goalie, everyone relies on you as you are the only player on the team wearing the gloves.

“The fee won’t play on my mind. I’ve got belief in my ability and I won’t think about that.

“When you are a goalie, you always have to make sure you keep a cool head.”

Latest pictures from LFC's pre-season tour

Mignolet has already received a warm welcome from Kopites, who have adopted Sunderland’s terrace chant for the 25-year-old.

Sung to the tune of The Lions Sleeps Tonight (with ‘Mignolet’ instead of ‘Wimba Way’), the keeper has been serenaded with plenty of renditions on the club’s pre-season tour.

“I’ve heard it a lot over the past two weeks and I’ve been getting some stick from the lads about it,” he said.

“It seemed to be a massive hit at Sunderland so let’s hope it is the same at Liverpool.

“When the games gets going you don’t tend to hear those things but it’s always nice when fans get behind you.

“I hope they will support me as much as they can.

“That can only help you to play better and make you feel more comfortable on the pitch which is very important.”

Mignolet knew he was making a big step up in his career when he ended his three-year association with the Black Cats last month.

But the past fortnight has been an education for him with the way Liverpool have been received in Jakarta, Melbourne and Bangkok.

“From the moment we arrived at the airport in Indonesia, it’s been an eye opener for me,” he said.

In pictures: Mignolet before LFC

“There were thousands of fans there to welcome us.

“It’s been brilliant for me to experience this tour and be part of it.

“The amount of fans has surprised me.

“The crowds for the games in Jakarta and Melbourne were huge.

“They told me this tour would be big but now I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

“Melbourne was special, playing in front of 95,000 – I’d never played in front of a crowd that big before.

“When they started signing You’ll Never Walk Alone that was a great moment.

“When I was at Sunderland we went to Portugal, Austria and Korea for pre-season. We didn’t get crowds like this.

“It just shows Liverpool’s standing worldwide.

“When there is such massive support behind you as a team that motivates you even more.

“It reminds you who you are playing for every week and can only be a big help.

“It’s still the early stages of pre-season and it’s about getting our fitness up but things are going well.

“We just have to keep it going until the first league game against Stoke then we won’t have anything to worry about.”