Simon Mignolet reveals how Liverpool is different from the 2014 title challengers

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet believes his team can travel to the Premier League title year and rest the ghosts of five years ago.

Mignolet is one of three survivors of the 2013/14 season, who nearly ended the long-awaited title for the club.

The Belgian says that he feels different this time around.

He, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge were all essential members of the Brendan Rodgers team, who lost out towards the end of the season.

The trio is now part of a team that counts four points ahead of Manchester City, with 15 games to play.

Mignolet thinks the club has learned from the cruel crisis of 2014 and will not be embarrbaded – but insists that Jurgen Klopp's current crop is better equipped to keep up with the pace. .

He told Liverpool Echo: "Here, a lot has changed.

"It's only Hendo, Studge and I have always been here since the last time we really fought for the title.

"At the time, it was about Luis Suarez and Studge, while the objectives are shared. We had a very good team in 2013/14, but by the time we had one or two injuries, it became difficult.

"We now have a large team, which means we can deal with injuries. This is probably the biggest difference with the last time.

"If a match is in the stalemate, there is always someone on the bench who is ready to open the game. In this sense, we are in a much better position than at the time.

"The overall quality of this team is the best I know. When playing 11 against 11 at the training, it's like being involved in a decisive Premier League match.

"It's not 11 players on the front row against 11 reservists, it's two Premier League teams that face each other in training. This is of high quality. "

In February 2014, Liverpool climbed from fourth place to the top by winning a series of eleven consecutive wins, before everything collapsed with the finish line on the horizon.

Klopp's men appeared to be serious opponents from the start, scoring 60 points in 23 games – the best all-time return at this point in the season.

And the contrast in defense is extreme.

While Liverpool had revealed 50 goals in the league in 2013/14, the bases are now much stronger with only 13 goals conceded this time.

"Exactly and it's huge," said Mignolet.

"I think that a big part of this is Virgil van Dijk. Since his arrival, he has made a huge difference.

"It's not only his ability to play, but also the character and leadership he sends from behind. This is especially important when you play against teams like Brighton and Crystal Palace recently.

"That's the pressure it's mitigating with its compensation headers. He always looks so easy. Something very difficult for anyone, it sounds like a walk in the park for Virgil. It has made us much stronger than before.