Liverpool Goalie Simon Mignolet Says He ‘Didn’t Hear The Whistle’ Before David Luiz Free Kick In 1-1 Tie Vs Chelsea

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet claims he “didn’t hear the whistle” to resume play before David Luiz scored on a free kick to give Chelsea a 1-0 lead in the the first half of the 1-1 Premier League tie at Anfield on Tuesday.

Liverpool Goalie Simon Mignolet Says He ‘Didn’t Hear The Whistle’

In the 24th minute, Mignolet was still setting up his wall and seemed to raise his arms in frustration about something, when Luiz ran up to fire the free kick that went in off the near post. The Belgian goalie was left stunned, and barely even moved to try to block the shot. However, he didn’t just blame his team but credited his opponent.

“I didn’t hear the whistle, then he hit it earlier,” Mignolet, 28, told BT Sport. “It was a good free kick in the end but obviously you have to give yourself a chance to save it but that didn’t happen.”

Naturally, fans began mocking the goalkeeper on social media:

Luiz, however, said he was delighted to take advantage of Mignolet’s confusion.

“Sometimes you need to try to surprise,” Luiz said. “It is not the best moment to try free kicks because of my knee. I have not been training too much and with free kicks you need to train everyday.

“But sometimes you need to feel the game and take the opportunity and I’m happy.”

Mignolet redeemed himself by making several great saves throughout the game, including a block of Diego Costa’s 77th-minute penalty. Nevertheless, the keeper remained unsurprisingly unsatisfied with the outcome.

“Straight after the game, the feeling is that we are disappointed,” he said. “And if you do that against Chelsea, who are leading the Premier League, getting a lot of points and playing good football, then it shows how hungry we are and I think we deserved the three points.

“I think we showed that we are a very good side and set this as a benchmark.”

Liverpool’s Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum headed in his third goal of the season 12 minutes into the second half after a cross that bounced off a Chelsea defender.

Chelsea are first in the Premier League standings, while Liverpool are fourth.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: David Luiz of Chelsea celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on January 31, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)