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Simon Mignolet has chance to 'prove his worth' again, says Brendan Rodgers

LIVERPOOL -- Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is still rebuilding his confidence as he bids to re-establish himself as the Reds' No. 1, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

Mignolet, 26, was dropped on Dec. 14 after a poor run of form, but returned as a 16th-minute substitute at Burnley on Boxing Day as Brad Jones suffered a thigh injury in the 1-0 win.

The Belgium international, who had not played in his side's previous three matches, had "a couple of edgy moments" at Turf Moor, Rodgers acknowledged.

But as Jones, 32, awaits the results of a scan on his injury, Mignolet is in line to reclaim a starting place for Monday's Premier League home match against Swansea.

Rodgers said: "It's never easy. It's a very specialised position, and he came in at a tough moment yesterday. But in the main, he's a very resilient character, Simon.

"Like everyone, he's had a wee bit of flak and taken a bit of stick. But to operate at this level, you need to be able to deal with that.

"He had a couple of edgy moments yesterday and he'll recognise that. But he came for a couple of crosses, got a couple of punches and that helped his confidence.

"And he ended the game with a clean sheet. That's what you want as a goalkeeper and what we want as a team."

Rodgers suggested that Mignolet had been dropped "indefinitely" after leaving him on the bench for the 3-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester United on Dec. 14.

At the time, the manager suggested that his decision would allow the keeper time to regain his form "out of the firing line".

However, with Jones injured, Liverpool's only other available goalkeeper is Danny Ward, a 21-year-old signed from non-league Wrexham in 2012, who has never made a senior competitive appearance for the Reds.

With that in mind, Rodgers has indicated that he would be happy to give Mignolet a run of games again.

The manager said: "The idea with having three keepers is that it gives you the ability to choose which one you need.

"Simon's worked very hard and well over the time he's been out. Brad came in, but he's injured. He'll have a scan today on his thigh and we'll see the result of that.

"But it's an opportunity for Simon to come back in and prove his worth. He's a very good goalkeeper.

"I think he'll tell you that the time out has helped him to reflect a little bit and now come in and -- hopefully for him -- stay in the team."