Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet who has been dropped, warms up before their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England December 14, 2014.
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet who has been dropped, warms up before their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England December 14, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard opined that his Liverpool counterpart, Simon Mignolet, might not be able to regain his spot after being dropped indefinitely by Brendan Rodgers.

The 26-year-old Belgian international has conceded 19 goals in his fifteen outings in the Premier League before making way for reserve shot-stopper Brad Jones against Manchester United on Sunday.

Howard, who was in the same situation years back when he was still at Old Trafford, knows how such a circumstance can suck the confidence, which is arguably the most significant building block to making a good keeper, out of a player.

"I think it's a hard road back when you get taken out of the team. Sometimes there is no way back," he told BBC Sport.

"It's not easy. It's a confidence position."

"When you take him [Mignolet] out of the team and then bring him back, do the team and fans have confidence in him?"

He explained that keepers should always keep a positive mind, and must have a mentor that can show belief even in the toughest of times.

"With goalkeepers the next mistake is only just around the corner. If you worry about that you will crumble.

"I think a good goalkeeper always has to have a manager who believes in him."

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