No separating top four and FA Cup for Mignolet

LONDON

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has said being given a choice between a top-four finish in the Premier League and FA Cup victory is like being asked to prefer one of his parents over the other.

The Merseysiders face top-flight rivals Aston Villa in a Wembley semi-final on Sunday and by the time they kick-off in London the gap between them and fourth place, currently occupied by defending champions Manchester City, could have grown to seven points.

But with Liverpool yet to win a trophy under manager Brendan Rodgers, the chance to bring the FA Cup to Anfield for what would be the Northern Irish boss's first piece of silverware in charge of the Reds is an important consideration as well.

However, Belgium international Mignolet said: "The next game is the FA Cup semi-final so the focus is on that but you don't really choose between your mum and dad so we still have two things to play for and we will try to do that from now until the end of the season.

"We want to do both — let's hope we can do both. We have the FA Cup and league still to play for and we want to do well in every single game."

IN-FORM BENTEKE

Mignolet is set to face in-form compatriot Christian Benteke this weekend, the Aston Villa striker having scored eight goals in his last seven games.

"I've not spoken to Benteke this week but we spoke about it when we last met for internationals," said Mignolet.

"We know Aston Villa have aerial ability with two strikers up front and so it is something we have to deal with on Sunday.

"He (Benteke) has been scoring a couple of goals lately, together with (Gabriel) Agbonlahor they have a lot of pace up front.

"But we have to look at ourselves to perform. Villa come second."