Simon Mignolet finds himself alone at Liverpool once more after suddenly being dropped without warning... but is this permanent?

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Sitting in the lobby of hotel in Sydney Habour, taking sips from a cup of coffee, Simon Mignolet was in reflective mood.

Liverpool's season had finished five days earlier and this trip to Australia offered the players a chance to unwind and digest the fact they had secured a top four finish. Mignolet, a goalkeeper who has not always enjoyed great popularity at Anfield, had certainly played his part.

And on the tense run to the line, Mignolet had turned public opinion in his favour. One performance at Stoke, when he made a miraculous save in a 2-1 win, had been particularly significant. He had every right to feel content with his lot but, in conversation, uncertainty kept emerging.

Simon Mignolet walks alone to his seat at Anfield ahead of Liverpool's game against Arsenal

Jurgen Klopp decided to rest Mignolet for the game but the move came without warning

'I know what happens when you are the Liverpool goalkeeper,' Mignolet told Sportsmail. 'Whether you have good performances, s*** performances, the scrutiny is always there. Always. As a goalkeeper you are on your own.'

He felt on his own on Sunday. After a solid start to the season, when his highlights have included a penalty save in Hoffenheim and a crucial stop to thwart Crystal Palace's Jason Puncheon, without warning Mignolet was jettisoned from Liverpool's squad.

The decision came from nowhere. It was a decision, however, that Jurgen Klopp felt was necessary. He was of the belief that Mignolet needed to be rested and would benefit from some time to clear his mind; he wants him to come back refreshed for the next assignment at Manchester City.

Nobody knows his players better than Klopp but it was impossible to escape the feeling that this call was harsh; Mignolet was devastated when he was told and even his most ardent critic would have had sympathy for the fact he had to sit out a collision of this magnitude.

Mignolet has found himself out of favour during Klopp's time at Liverpool already

But Klopp was adamant that he wanted to use Arsenal's visit as a chance to restore Loris Karius to Premier League combat for the first time since last December; Mignolet's desolation would not have mattered one jot to the young German, who had questions of his own to answer.

His first year at Liverpool, after all, had been a write off. Filled with injuries and errors, Karius – a £5million signing from Mainz – had done nothing to suggest he could usurp Mignolet but here was an unexpected opportunity.

Thanks to Arsenal summoning one of the worst performances of Arsene Wenger's era, a lifeless and soul shambles, we are still none the wiser as to whether the Karius of today is better than the one who shuffled off disconsolately following a 2-2 draw with West Ham on December 11.

Arsenal never had a shot on target; there were no crosses to test his nerves, no early pressure to try and expose any weaknesses. Arsenal were so toothless, so devoid of verve and enthusiasm that Klopp could have played without a goalkeeper and it would have made no difference.

What can be said with certainty, though, is that The Kop remains undecided about Karius. There were three incidents that led murmurs turn into growls of displeasure, each of them stemming from the 23-year-old dithering when the ball was at his feet.

Loris Karius, who came into the side to replace Mignolet, has yet to convince Liverpool fans

On two occasions – one in 20th minute, another in the 50th minute – Karius was fortunate that he wasn't punished by Danny Welbeck, who had charged to close him down and managed to make a block. Next time, the bounce might not be in his favour.

Still, Karius left the pitch with a clean sheet and walked straight into a bear hug from Klopp. His manager has faith and there will clearly be more opportunities to come, even if Klopp would not answer whether Karius will be Liverpool's goalkeeper for the Champions League.

What is certain is that Karius is back on the inside. Mignolet, who was caught by the TV cameras walking disconsolately to his seat in the stand, found himself alone once more. He will hope it does not prove to be a feeling that is permanent.

Mignolet will be hoping that the situation he finds himself in will not become permanent