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Jurgen Klopp has backed calamity keeper Simon Mignolet – by handing him a new contract.

The Liverpool manager sprang to the defence of his Belgium international after a howler against West Brom put the stopper in the line of fire for disgruntled Reds fans.

Klopp warned angry supporters to blame him, not Mignolet for the error when the keeper came uncertainly from his line and missed a corner to gift the visitors a goal, insisting he’d asked the player to come for ­crosses.

And after again stating his faith in the 27-year-old, the German coach will prove his backing by pushing through a new, improved deal for his number one before Christmas.

Talks have been ongoing in recent weeks over an extension to the keeper’s contract, and that is now likely to get done before the New Year with Klopp’s emphatic blessing.

In pictures: Liverpool 2-2 West Brom

After the draw with the Baggies, Klopp said: “I said to Simon at half time, 'if somebody says it is your fault, you can say it's not true, it's my fault.' Because I want a keeper who helps. I want a keeper who comes out and tries everything, with 20 players around him, he tried but didn't get the ball for the first goal.

“The disallowed goal was offside and the next one I will have to see again. It was at the short (near) post, usually it is not the goalkeeper's responsibility. We have people there who have to make the header and defend this.

“They had six or seven players who are six feet four or taller, it's really difficult for us to defend.

“We tried it, we have to do better, we will work on it but nothing to say negative about Simon.

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“First goal of course for me he tried and that's important. It's really difficult in England because there is no-one to protect goalkeepers.

"But I want him to come out because he can help. Sometimes you try something and it's a fault but it's not the biggest problem.”

The manager made clear recently he is not looking for a replacement in January, and ruled out a move for Stoke’s impressive custodian Jack Butland.