I have a theory on Mignolet's new contract. We are just protecting our asset.
When we sign a new number 1 GK in the summer other clubs are almost certainly going to bid for Mignolet. By putting him in the first year of a 4 year contract we can expect to get the maximum we possibly can for a player of his ability, at least matching,if not profiting on the £9m we paid for him, and if we dont we can say no and have a very decent number 2 GK.
To support my theory it is rumoured that Mignolet's wages will be £60k per week,which is not actually that much for a guaranteed first 11 player at our club. It is much less than Henderson, Coutinho, Sturridge, Benteke etc etc. So if we get a good offer for Mignolet in the summer there is less chance of him getting stroppy trying to hang onto his fat LFC pay check, and he wont end up being the £80k per week sub GK.