Liverpool trail leaders Manchester City by 12 points but Simon Mignolet says they can close that gap

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet believes Premier League leaders Manchester City can be caught.

Earlier this week, Mignolet's Belgium team-mate Thibaut Courtois suggested the runaway Premier League leaders are "a bit unstoppable" at the moment.

But Mignolet disagrees and isn't ruling out an Anfield title challenge.

Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet says Manchester City can be caught because anything can happen in the Premier League Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet says Manchester City can be caught because anything can happen in the Premier League

"City are doing really well at this time," said the 29-year-old. "They've got loads of quality. But like always the Premier League is a long journey, there's a long way to go."

Manchester City are on 31 points after 11 games, 12 more than Liverpool in fifth. Mignolet though thinks the busy winter schedule is key.

The Premier League is a long journey, there's a long way to go. Simon Mignolet

"After that win at West Ham we closed the gap [on others]. In the busy winter period anything can happen.

"It's up to us to be challengers and that's what we'll try to do."

Mignolet is no stranger to criticism. He came in for some after Liverpool's heavy defeat at Tottenham last month.

But Jurgen Klopp blamed the result on an all-round bad team performance, and backed Mignolet.

In the two Premier League games since, Liverpool have taken maximum points, scoring seven goals and conceding just one.

Mignolet says the upturn in fortunes follows a team meeting after the Tottenham game.

"We had a discussion all together and I think we have responded well to that."

Mignolet captained Liverpool to last weekend's victory at West Ham

Mignolet seldom starts for Belgium because of the presence in the squad of Courtois, but he is likely to feature in at least one of the upcoming friendlies against Mexico and Japan.

Another appearance for his country would cap a memorable week. Last Saturday he fulfilled a lifelong ambition by leading Liverpool out as captain in the absence of Jordan Henderson and James Milner.

"I was surprised," said Mignolet. "I was only told an hour before the game.

"It was nice to hear that of course. If you read the list of Liverpool captains it was a great experience and I was proud.

"I am also the only Belgian to captain the club and luckily it brought some luck and we won the game."