Italy defender hails Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet

Antonio Candreva says Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was Belgium's man of match in 3-1 win against Italy.

Antonio Candreva hailed Simon Mignolet’s man of the match performance after Belgium were 3-1 winners against Italy in Friday night’s friendly in Brussels.

The Liverpool goalkeeper made four saves to deny the Azzurri despite Antonio Conte’s men registering five shots on target during the defeat.

Candreva had given the visitors a third-minute lead before goals from Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal target Michy Batshuayi sealed the win.

Lazio midfielder Candreva singled out Mignolet’s performance against the European championship runners-up as one of the key factors behind their defeat.

“Every game is a lesson to be learned,” the Lazio midfielder told Rai Sport.

“Their goalkeeper was man of the match. We played a great game, but do not deserve to lose this by two goals.”

Mignolet has started all 12 of Liverpool’s Premier League games this season, conceding 14 goals and keeping just four clean sheets.

The Belgium international, who started against Italy in the absence of injured Thibaut Courtois, has also started all four of their Europa League fixtures.

The 27-year-old shot stopper moved to Liverpool from Sunderland in a £9m deal in 2013.