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Simon Mignolet insists Liverpool won't rein in their attacking instincts – but admits they have to raise the bar defensively.

Potent going forward, Jurgen Klopp's side have looked highly suspect at the back during a frenetic opening week to the new campaign.

Saturday's 3-3 draw at Watford was followed by another fraught contest against Hoffenheim at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Tuesday night.

Liverpool returned home with a precious 2-1 lead from the first leg of their Champions League play-off but it was far from convincing.

Mignolet produced an heroic display as he kept out Andrej Kramaric's early penalty and made a string of fine saves to spare the Reds' blushes.

The Belgium international, who was repeatedly left exposed, is convinced that Liverpool can tighten up at the back without compromising their threat at the other end.

“We can only play one way and that is forward,” Mignolet said.

“We know that we can always score. We have so much style up front.

“We have so much talent in the squad that we have to use it. We have the qualities and our natural game will be attacking.

“But we know we have to fill that in with a really defensive spirit. We know that is where we have to improve.

“We are not blind. Everybody knows it in the dressing room, but there is no point throwing everything away.

“A natural footballing side that goes forward, you cannot change that, but we know we have to mix that in with a good defensive, aggressive spirit to make sure they don’t score the goals.”

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool may have ridden their luck in Germany but Mignolet believes the significance of inflicting Hoffenheim's first home defeat for 15 months shouldn't be overlooked.

The Reds will go into next Wednesday's second leg at Anfield in control of the tie as they look to secure their passage to the group stage.

“We would have taken that before the game so we are pleased,” Mignolet said.

“The first half wasn’t easy for us but we scored our goal and we could have made it a bit easier.

“We take the result as it is. Hoffenheim showed that they are a really good side and we knew they were not going to be easy to play against.

“The outside world probably thought it was going to be easy for us but that is never the case in a Champions League game. We have the result now, the first leg is gone and we will try and see it out at Anfield.

“If we score one at Anfield it will be very difficult for them.”

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Mignolet, one of only three survivors from the last Liverpool side to grace the Champions League three years ago, showed why he's beaten off competition from Loris Karius and Danny Ward to continue as the club's No 1 this term.

He was only denied a clean sheet when substitute Mark Uth fired home to halve the deficit three minutes from time.

“I helped the team but that's my job,” he said.

“The first half it was difficult for us as they created chances. I made a save with my legs after the penalty but that was a big moment.

“All credit again to the analysts who gave me all the correct information (for the penalty).

“We were nearly there. It was unfortunate to concede in the last couple of minutes, but before the game we would have taken two goals away from home.

“It is more about qualifying for the Champions League than clean sheets. I will take this all the time.”

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Now in his fifth season at Anfield, Mignolet is one of the most experienced members of Klopp's squad and he has played his part in helping Trent Alexander-Arnold settle into the side in the absence of the injured Nathaniel Clyne.

The teenage full-back enjoyed a dream European debut for the Reds as he bagged his first senior goal for the club with a 25-yard free-kick.

“A young guy like Trent, I try and give him as much information as I can,” Mignolet said.

“I was speaking to him after the game and he is such a good player.

“I am turning 30 next year and I am one of the oldest guys in the dressing room so I try and help.”

Now the focus turns to Saturday's home clash with Crystal Palace, who have won their last three trips to Anfield.

Mignolet says it's down to the players to "look in the mirror" and take on board where they can improve as the Reds look to deliver a much more composed performance.

"When you are in the spotlight and play at the highest level, in the Premier League and the Champions League, there are always going to be things thrown at you," he added.

"You have to be strong enough characters to deal with that. We just try and improve in training and create the best team spirit to deal with everything.

"I think we have so much quality inside the team and with what we learned in the last 10 games of last season we can definitely be successful.

"We have to try and look in the mirror and say it is only us who can change it.

"We know how long we had to fight to get that fourth place in the Premier League and we don’t want to throw it away.

"We need to beat Crystal Palace and then see the Champions League qualifier out."