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For Simon Mignolet, it’s a case of no more Mr Nice Guy.

The Liverpool keeper has revealed that his recent new five-and-a-half year contract came with a demand from manager Jurgen Klopp that he develops a “nasty streak”.

Klopp doesn’t want a 6ft 3ins shrinking violet between the posts. The German wants Mignolet to become a combative figure who commands his penalty box and inspires confidence in those around him.

“It’s something we’ve talked about me working on,” Mignolet said.

“I’m getting older and I need to become a leading and commanding figure.

“Being a bit more aggressive and nasty is something he’s asked for throughout the team.

“That’s not something you really work on during time on the training field but you have to try to off the pitch.”

Making the required adjustments remains a work in progress for the mild mannered Belgium international.

“I’ve started fighting with (goalkeeping coach) John Achterberg in training,” he joked.

“No, it is something that you have to create and then in the heat of the moment you have to let it out.

“The only thing you have to change is your character. You have to get in a frame of mind before the game.”

You have to visualise your performance - the good things

There have been words of advice from top sports psychologist Dr Steve Peters and changes have been made to Mignolet’s matchday routine.

It’s about visualising the situations he’s likely to face and how best to deal with them. It’s a process that will start on Saturday before the team coach has even arrived at Anfield.

“It takes a bit of time, it doesn’t just switch,” Mignolet said.

“It starts when you leave the hotel and travel to the stadium.

“We’ve spoken about Steve Peters before and that can help. I don’t really need to see him any more as he’s given me the instructions.

“You have to visualise your own performance – the good things.

“If you want to be in a frame of mind to be more aggressive, you have to think about the challenge you face. You think about commanding your box and giving instructions to the defence.

“Then you need to see examples in the past of when you have done that to make sure that happens again.”

Mignolet’s shot-stopping skills have rarely been questioned since his £9million move from Sunderland three years ago. It’s the other parts of his game which have been heavily scrutinised.

He produced two stunning saves in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Leicester City to thwart Shinji Okazaki and then Riyad Mahrez.

Yet he then blotted his copybook when he flapped at Christian Fuchs’ long throw under pressure and was relieved to see the ball hacked clear.

I have to be on the referee's case more

It was typical of Mignolet’s Liverpool career – something for both his supporters and critics to cling to.

“At half-time I was hoping those two saves would be important at the end but unfortunately we lost so no-one talks about them. You have to accept that,” he said.

“I came out to punch that throw. With Leicester’s height the gaffer wanted me to help out as much as possible.

“I think (Robert) Huth never even looked at the ball. He just looked at me. John Achterberg mentioned that I have to be on the referee’s case more.

“The only thing I can do better is be even more aggressive and be a bit more nasty as well.”

Mignolet was finally beaten by Jamie Vardy’s dipping 25-yard volley at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes’ 18-goal top scorer spoke about how he had spotted the Reds keeper off his line.

Mignolet added: “He was always going to say that!

“At this moment there is only one player in the Premier League who would think of shooting from there and that is Jamie Vardy.

“My starting position when the long ball was played was good. It is a counter-attack so your starting position is high, trying to be the sweeper keeper.

“I tried to get back but with how he hit the ball it went away from me. Sometimes you have to give credit. It was a good goal.”

Mignolet’s response to Vardy’s second goal, which effectively killed off the contest, was more animated as he chastised his defenders for the errors that had preceded it.

“I saw the situation happening,” he said. “There was a moment like that in the first half when we were backing off and the shot came in.

“I said ‘if there is a player around the box, try to press them so they can’t shoot’. Of course he could dribble past you, but it’s dangerous to allow someone to take a shot.

“I wasn’t having a go at anyone in particular. It was just to ensure that as a team we improve in certain situations. When you concede a goal everyone is responsible.”

More vocal on the field, Mignolet’s mind is now also less cluttered than it was under Brendan Rodgers when he was under strict orders to play out from the back and regularly played his way into trouble.

The new contract, which keeps him at Anfield until 2021, was a show of faith from Klopp and he’s determined to repay him.

“Jurgen lets me make my own decisions on the pitch and deal with it,” he said. “Afterwards we’ll have a discussion when we analyse things.

“When the club give you a new contract, it’s a sign of confidence, not only from the board, but also in the dressing room - the staff and the players.

“That’s the most important thing to feel that they are behind you.

“We didn’t take long with the club. We found an agreement really quickly. It’s pleasing to sign for such a big club for such a long period of time.

My best years are ahead of me

“Both my missus and I love it here in the North West. I’m 27, which is still young as a goalkeeper and my best years are ahead of me, but there’s a new responsibility on my shoulders.

“I’m coming to that age where you become more experienced and you have to give leadership on and off the pitch. I want to take up that role.”

Mignolet knows that the new deal provides no guarantees about his ongoing status as the Reds’ No 1.

The only way to retain that honour is to make the adjustments Klopp has demanded.

“You need to keep your head down and work hard on the pitch,” he added. “Keep improving - that’s my message all the time.

“For me, the contract is even more of an incentive to keep going and always give 100%. I’ll continue to work on the areas where I can become better.

“I don’t think there’s a perfect goalkeeper at any age. Throughout my time here, I’ve learned a lot.

“I’m stronger for that and hopefully over the period of this contract I’ll keep progressing in the same way.”