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Liverpool expect goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to sign a new long-term contract before the turn of the year.

The Belgium international came under fire following his costly blunder in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with West Brom but he retains the faith of manager Jurgen Klopp.

Talks are progressing smoothly over a new deal and Mignolet, whose current contract runs until the summer of 2018, is expected to put pen to paper in the next fortnight.

Klopp has been the driving force behind ensuring Liverpool retain Mignolet’s services going forward. When the German was informed that the 27-year-old only had two-and-a-half years on his deal to run, he urged chief executive Ian Ayre to open negotiations with Mignolet’s representatives.

Mignolet endured an afternoon to forget against the Baggies as he flapped at Chris Brunt’s corner and was punished by Craig Dawson. He felt the wrath of the Kop on more than one occasion but Klopp leapt to his defence.

“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,” Klopp said.

“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.

“It’s really difficult in England because there is no-one to protect goalkeepers. There’s nothing to say negative about Simon.”

Klopp recently dismissed speculation linking Liverpool with a new keeper and described Mignolet as “one of the smartest keepers I’ve ever had”.

Mignolet, who cost the Reds £9million from Sunderland in the summer of 2013, said: “It was obviously nice to hear the manager say so openly in public that he’s behind you. I’m happy at Liverpool and I want to stay here for a long time.”

Meanwhile, Klopp appears unlikely to bolster his squad during the January transfer window. The Liverpool boss has publicly played down talk of splashing the cash next month - re-iterating his belief in the squad he inherited.

And the ECHO understands he has yet to approach Fenway Sports Group chiefs to ask about making funds available for any potential targets.