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Simon Mignolet has claimed that getting dropped in favour of Loris Karius earlier in the season was a turning point in his Liverpool career.

Karius arrived in the summer for around £4m from Mainz but suffered a hand injury in pre-season, which meant Mignolet kept place as Jurgen Klopp's first-choice goalkeeper.

However, the German was brought into the side upon his return to action in September, and stayed in the team until a number of high-profile errors saw Mignolet regain his spot in the 3-0 win away to Middlesbrough in December.

And the in-form Belgian shot-stopper told Sky Sports that he was pleased with how his response helped turned things around for him at Anfield .

He said: "I'm happy with how I responded after that moment.

"It's about keeping your head down, working hard, and then showing together with the team what you can do.

"The moment it happens you try to look in the mirror and see what you can do better.

"Also, keep your head down, focus and work hard to turn it around.

"I'm happy with how I reacted, it's behind me now, I don't want to look back at it too much, because there's still a job to do.

"I'm looking more ahead than over my shoulder to see what's coming. I think we can do a lot of good things here."

Mignolet is in good form, and helped his side to back-to-back victories away to Stoke and West Brom with a number of eye-catching saves, particularly in the 2-1 win against the Potters on April 8.

The victories have kept the Reds on course for a place in next season's Champions League, and Mignolet believe a club of Liverpool's stature needs to be at Europe's top table.

"I think the Champions League has been a part of the history of Liverpool Football Club, to fight in Europe together with fighting at the top in England," he added.

"We want to be there next year, the dressing room is really hungry to play in the Champions League next year."