Although Liverpool continue to be linked with a motley cast of goalkeepers to replace current incumbent Simon Mignolet come January, stand-in ‘stopper Brad Jones isn’t about to worry himself with what could be just over the horizon, instead focusing on his own game and earning himself a new deal at the Anfield outfit.
“There is pressure on every player in every position. You are expected to win every week and when you don’t, you get criticised” said the Aussie shot-stopper when asked about handling criticism from the media and the pressure of being in the Liverpool starting eleven. “At smaller clubs, you get away with certain things. The magnifying glass isn’t as big, if you like. But if you here, you have obviously done something right to be here in the first place. When you are here, you have to deal with it as best you can.”
After a poor start to the Premier League season and early elimination from the Champions League, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has sat Mignolet on the bench for an indefinite period of time, with Jones called on to help steady the ship. As the 32-year old enters the last year of his contract, his future is very much in his hands with his performances in up-coming matches likely be used as the basis for whether or not the club decides to hand him a new deal or not.
“Every game is an opportunity. The manager hasn’t said anything. I’ll just play each game and hope that I do well enough to play the next one. I just try and play as best as I can in every aspect” explained Jones ahead of the Reds Boxing Day trip to Burnley. “I have been playing that way since I signed my first contract (to try and win another one). Everyone wants to link other players with us and that is probably not going to change. We will get linked with another 20 goalkeepers now but I won’t let it affect me. Every game that I play, I will just go out and do my best.”
