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Simon Mignolet admits his first experience of a Merseyside derby will live long in the memory.

The Liverpool FC keeper’s rollercoaster afternoon at Goodison last weekend epitomised the frenetic and chaotic nature of the dramatic 3-3 draw .

Three times he was beaten by the international team-mates he had been so desperate to put one over, but he walked away with his head held high having pulled off a string of outstanding saves.

Mignolet is hoping for a considerably quieter afternoon when the Reds head for Hull City on Sunday.

“So much happened in the derby,” he told the ECHO. “I’m pleased to have been part of one and I hope to be part of many more in the future.

“I’m not the kind of player to get carried away by the occasion anyway but it’s always nice to have that first one behind you so you know what’s coming in the future.

“It’s not often as a keeper that you concede three goals and make nine saves in the same game.

“I am happy I helped the team out – that’s what I am there for. Hopefully I can keep doing that.

“But more important than anything I did in the game was Daniel Sturridge ’s equaliser. If he hadn’t scored that header, no-one would have been talking about the saves I made.

“Five minutes from the end I was worried that we would end up losing the game and all our effort would have been for nothing.

“But we got a point and that has kept Everton away from us in the table. We need to make sure we build on that against Hull. If we win on Sunday then that result against Everton will look good for us.”

After the dust had settled on a thrilling stalemate it was all smiles between Mignolet and the Blues’ Belgian duo Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku.

He said: “It was a real shame that out of all of Everton’s players those two had to score!

“There was some good banter. Lukaku was moaning to me afterwards that he hadn’t scored more goals. I told him he should be happy that he managed to put two past me.

“Kevin knew he was lucky to have stayed on the pitch after that tackle on Luis Suarez . That would have changed the game but you just have to accept decisions like that and move on.

“They live in Manchester so I don’t see that much of them but when we’re together with the national team the three of us speak a lot. They both showed against us how important they are for Everton.”

Mignolet may have been part of one of the all-time great derbies but he knows Liverpool’s second-half display left plenty of room for improvement.

From a position of relative control at 2-1 up, their mistakes enabled Everton to dominate and go in front prior to Sturridge’s last-gasp leveller.

“The manager hasn’t been through it with us yet but I am sure he will do over the next few days,” he said.

“Everybody knows what we can do better. We spoke about it after the game and again on Monday at training.

“We know what has to be better. We have to look at ourselves and make sure we don’t concede three goals in a game again this season.”

Sunday’s trip to Hull kicks off a hectic December for the second placed Reds with 21 points up for grabs before the dawn of 2014.

Mignolet, who played under Steve Bruce when he was at Sunderland, believes Brendan Rodgers ’ side can’t afford to under-estimate the threat of the newly promoted Tigers.

“I know Steve Bruce well and he will have Hull ready for it,” he said.

“They are a very solid team with a physical presence. They will be up for it against a team like Liverpool and it certainly won’t be an easy game. We just have to look at ourselves and make sure we do the right things.

“There are so many games to be played at this time of year and we need to make this busy period count.

“We are second in the league and we have to make sure we continue in the way we have started the season. We’ve got a big squad so hopefully we’ll be able to deal with any injuries or suspensions.”

Mignolet’s optimism is fuelled by the enduring class of skipper Steven Gerrard , who created Sturridge’s derby equaliser with an inviting delivery.

Tomorrow marks the 15th anniversary of Gerrard’s Liverpool debut when he came off the bench against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.

“To spend 15 years playing for Liverpool Football Club is a remarkable achievement,” Mignolet said. “It’s great credit to Steven that he has remained at the highest level for so long and he’s still such an important player for us.

“The fact that he’s still so fit and runs as many miles as he does during games shows you how well he has looked after himself.

“It’s not only what he does on the pitch but the way he is off it as well. He’s a gentleman. He has achieved so much in his career and I wish him many more years at Liverpool.

“Look at the quality he produced against Everton – he’s been doing that for 15 years and I’m he will continue in that way for years to come.”

Reds happy to help heroes

Liverpool trio Simon Mignolet, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling paid a special visit to the Academy to take part in a ‘keepy-uppy’ challenge with ex-servicemen.

The Armed Forces programme is one of the many Liverpool FC Foundation projects to benefit from Warrior Football’s generous donation of £50,000 worth of kit.

It aims to re-engage ex-service personnel by offering them the chance to take part in a series of activities to help them reconnect with physical activity and recapture their spirit of service and comradeship.

“It’s a great gesture by Warrior to donate so much kit to the Liverpool FC Foundation and this is an example of the great work of the club’s Foundation,” Mignolet said.

“I am sure these guys have experienced a lot of things in their lives but you can see how much they enjoy their football.

“I’m very happy to be here and to help give something back to these lads.”

Ex-servicemen from across Merseyside use the facilities at the Academy on a weekly basis.

One of them, Craig Horner, said: “We got told this was happening about four weeks ago and we’ve all been like big kids counting down the days.

“For Simon, Jordan and Raheem to give up their time to come here to train with us is second to none.

“We have 42 members altogether and around 28 regulars play every Sunday. It’s fantastic what the club do and they treat us really well.

“It all started a year ago on Remembrance Sunday when seven of us went to the cenotaph and then came down here and trained in the afternoon. It's grown from there. It gives you that spirit again. There are players here I served in the Army with but I hadn’t seen for 10 years. You get that sense of camaraderie back.”

Richard Wright, global head of Warrior Football, added: “Warrior is proud to support the work carried out by the Liverpool FC Foundation.

“Their initiatives are truly inspirational and continue to better the lives of thousands of people.”

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