Simon Mignolet wins Liverpool Player of the Year award - much bemusement follows

Goalkeeper was dropped earlier in the season

Simon Mignolet (GETTY IMAGES)

After winning Liverpool's Player of the Year award as voted for by former Kop legends, Simon Mignolet admitted: “No-one would have thought this earlier in the season and neither would I."

It seems not many people can believe it even now.

The Reds stopper was the surprise recipient of the award voted for by the Liverpool Former Players Association.

It caps a remarkable change in fortunes for the Belgian who earlier in the season was dropped for his indifferent form.

With notable contenders including Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho missing out, some Liverpool fans have expressed surprise at the decision.

Mignolet, who with 14 clean sheets so far this term is leading the way for the Golden Glove award, added at Monday night's ceremony: “What I’ve learned this season going forward is that when you get criticism and praise you need to deal with it the same way.

“The only thing you can do is keep your head down, work hard and show on the pitch what you can do.”