LIVERPOOL -- Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists he has not lost faith in goalkeeper Simon Mignolet despite dropping him indefinitely.
The Belgium international has lost his place after a series of poor performances, with understudy Brad Jones playing in the club's last three matches.
Jones is expected to remain in goal for Boxing Day's Premier League trip to Burnley, but Rodgers feels Mignolet -- a nine-million-pound signing from Sunderland in 2013 -- will come back a better keeper for his recent experiences.
The manager said: "I took him out to give him the chance to reflect and also to allow him to refocus on his game. Players need that at times. It was a really busy period and it was a difficult moment for the team.
"I haven't lost any belief in him. He's still an outstanding goalkeeper, and I'm sure when the time comes for him to return, he'll be a better goalkeeper for it."
Rodgers is happy with the attitude the 26-year-old has shown since losing his place to Jones.
He added: "Simon's response has been fantastic. People would think that his coming out of the team would have a negative effect on the group. But he's been outstanding. His training's been really good.
"Our goalkeeping coach John Achterberg and I sit down with him and studying his game, looking at the areas where we feel improvements can be made."
Jones, signed from Middlesbrough in 2010, is out of contract at the end of the season, and has spoken this week about playing to earn a new deal.
Rodgers declined to give any direct assurances on that when asked, but did describe him as "an important member of our squad."
He said: "Brad, over his career here at Liverpool, has been a number three or number two goalkeeper. When called upon, he's come in and done very well. In my first season, he played quite a number of games and did very well. It's been the same since he came in this time.
"He's a very loyal goalkeeper. He loves working here at the club, and when he's asked to come in, he fulfils that duty very well. He's an important member of our squad."
Liverpool have been linked with a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, but Rodgers refused to be drawn on whether he thought a deal was possible.
Rodgers was equally coy when asked about the possibility of re-signing former Reds striker Fernando Torres, currently at AC Milan on a two-year loan from Chelsea.
The manager said: "There'll always be speculation. During my time here, there always has been, but as always, I won't comment on any player linked with a move here.
"My concentration is on working with the group that's here. If there's a possibility to strengthen in January, we'll take a look at that, for the right type of player."