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Simon Mignolet says he knew he would face new competition for his first-team place at Anfield when he signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool last season.

And Loris Karius' imminent availability for selection hasn't changed the big Belgian's thinking one little bit.

Karius turned down an opportunity to represent Germany at the Rio Olympics this summer in a bid to press his first team claims at Anfield, before a broken hand ruled him out of the opening month of the campaign anyway.

The German is now fully recovered and set to return to training, but Mignolet is relishing the challenge ahead

“When I signed that new contract the club said that there would be fresh competition," he explained. "That is the normal thing - that you have three competitive goalkeepers.

“Besides Karius we also have Alex Manninger and all three of us get on well. I have already learned a lot from Alex. He is someone who has worked throughout Europe and gives me a lot of confidence.

“I've had competition in my entire career and that is normal when you are at a top club.

“There should always be competition, but only one goalkeeper can play. I can only look after my own performance on the pitch. The arrival of a new goalkeeper has changed nothing. I work hard, keep both feet on the ground and have confidence in myself.”

Mignolet has started the season as the Reds first choice keeper – even if Karius is literally number one at the club. That was the shirt number handed to the summer signing when he arrived from Mainz, but Mignolet says he was happy to let the new boy have that jersey.

“When I signed my new deal last year Liverpool suggested that I took the number one,” he added “but I never wanted it. For me it's always been number 22. I 've worn it throughout my career, all the way from from STVV.

“It's always felt good to me.”

Mignolet has made an impressive start to the campaign, despite Liverpool conceding six goals in their opening four matches.

He equalled a Premier League record for penalty-saving when he superbly stopped Theo Walcott's spot-kick on the opening day of the season at Arsenal – his fifth stop from 11 kicks faced – and at Tottenham a fortnight ago made a stunning point-blank stop from Toby Alderweireld's header.

Mignolet says he feels fine with his start.

“I think I can look back on a positive start to the season,” he said. “I had a good preparation, including the 4-0 victory against Barcelona.

“I stopped a penalty against Arsenal and saved the header from Toby against Tottenham. Then at Burnley we were the better team and we had 80 per cent of the possession, but they scored twice on the counter.

“I always critically analyse my performances and will always look to improve but I don't think I can knock myself up to much for any of the goals we have conceded. In between, I kept a clean sheet in the League Cup against Burton.

“Putting everything together, it has been a positive start, especially with the three league games being away from home.

“Okay, unfortunately we have conceded six goals, but we are a team that plays very offensively. The focus is on the ball and creating chances.

“We always go out to win three points, even away from home.

“That can produce good results like at Arsenal and Tottenham. But it makes you vulnerable to the counter-attack.

“The next step we must take as a team is to make sure that we contain that counter threat. In that sense our match on Saturday against Leicester is a good test.

“It's our first match in the new Anfield so we will be looking to attack. But in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez Leicester have two lightning quick strikers.”

Leicester arrive at Anfield as Premier League champions – and their emergence as a force to be reckoned with increases the competition for a top four place at the end of the season.

But Mignolet insists that the Champions league has to be a Liverpool target.

“This year it should definitely be our goal to finish in the top four - and also to do well in the two cup competitions,” he added.