The Liverpool manager insists the Belgian goalkeeper is “a good professional” despite opting to play second-choice Brad Jones in the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday

Brendan Rodgers believes Simon Mignolet understands the reasons why he lost his place to Brad Jones in Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.

The goalkeeper has faced criticism over his performances for Liverpool this season and was named among the substitutes for the clash at Old Trafford, with Rodgers handing Jones his first Premier League start since March 2013.

“Simon has been fine. He is a very good professional and he understood it [the decision],” said Rodgers.

“Brad has not had not much to do apart from pick the ball out of the net, but I felt I had to make the decision.”

Goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie handed United their sixth consecutive win in the Premier League, leaving Liverpool seven points behind West Ham, who currently occupy fourth place.

David de Gea also played an instrumental role in United’s victory by making key saves to deny Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli, and Rodgers admits Liverpool’s failure to capitalise on their chances has been the story of their season so far.

“I didn’t think we deserved to be on the end of the scoreline. Obviously they were a lot more clinical than we were,” said the Liverpool manager.

“It is not often you come here and create so many chances and we probably created more today than we did last season when we won 3-0.

“For the goalkeeper to get man of the match says everything the creativity we created more chances today than we did in the last five or six games.

“We had enough chances to get something from game, but it epitomised our season so far not enough goals from the team and that has clearly been an issue for us.

“The bottom line is that we have not been consistent enough over the course of of the season.”