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Simon Mignolet has been here before but this time it feels different.

The Belgian goalkeeper is one of only three survivors from the last Liverpool squad which seriously threatened to end the club's painfully long wait for the Premier League crown.

Mignolet, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge were all pivotal members of Brendan Rodgers' side who went agonisingly close to glory in 2013/14.

Five years on they are part of a Liverpool dressing room daring to dream once again. The Reds find themselves four points clear of champions Manchester City with 15 matches to play.

Mignolet believes the cruel late twist in 2014 provides a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting carried away, but he insists that Jurgen Klopp's current crop are much better equipped to last the pace.

“So much has changed over the past five years here,” he told the ECHO.

“It's only Hendo, Studge and myself still here from the last time we really fought for the title.

“Back then a lot of it was about Luis Suarez and Studge, whereas now the goals are shared about more. We had a really good team in 2013/14 but the moment we got one or two injuries it became difficult.

“We've got a broad squad now which means we can cope with injuries. That's probably the biggest difference with last time.

“If a game is deadlocked there is always someone ready on the bench who is capable of opening a game up. In that sense we're in a much better position than we were then.

“The general quality of this squad is the best I've ever known. When we play 11 v 11 in training it's like being involved in a top match in the Premier League.

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“It's not 11 first-teamers against 11 reserves, it's two Premier League sides facing each other in training. It's high quality.”

It was only in February five years ago that Liverpool launched an unlikely title challenge – embarking on a run of 11 straight wins to climb from fourth place to the summit before it all came crashing down with the finish line in sight.

In contrast, Klopp's men have looked like serious contenders from the off this time around. Their tally of 60 points from 23 games is the best return at this stage of a season in the club's illustrious history.

Defensively, the difference is vast. Where Liverpool leaked 50 league goals in 2013/14, now the foundations are much stronger with just 13 conceded this time around.

“Exactly and that's massive,” Mignolet said.

“I think a big part of that is Virgil van Dijk. Ever since he's come in he's made a huge difference.

“It's not only his playing ability but the character and the leadership he sends out from the back. It's especially important when you play teams like Brighton and Crystal Palace recently.

“It's the pressure he eases with his clearing headers. He always makes it look so easy. Something that's very difficult for anyone else, just looks like a walk in the park for Virgil. He's made us a lot more solid than before.”

Things have changed dramatically for Mignolet on a personal level too. Back in 2013/14 he was ever present during his first season at Anfield following a £9million move from Sunderland.

This time around he hasn't played a single minute of top-flight football. His last Premier League start was at Burnley on New Year's Day in 2018 when he captained the Reds to a 2-1 win.

Shortly after he lost his No.1 status to Loris Karius and had to sit and watch the second half of the campaign unfold.

Last summer the club's £65million swoop for Alisson Becker was followed by Karius being off-loaded on loan to Besiktas with Klopp deciding to keep Mignolet as back up.

(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“Yeah for me it's a completely different story,” he said.

“Back then I was starting every game. For the past year it's not been easy sitting on the bench.

“I am used to playing games. When you are playing week in, week out, you feel confident and you get a good feeling with the defence.

“When you aren't doing that it's difficult to replicate that in training sessions. I probably train more now than I ever have and I'm in the best shape I've been for years.

“When you play you have two days recovery, but I am here working every day at maximum level to stay fit and ready.

“You don't get the enjoyment of winning a game or the confidence you would get from playing well from training well. It just doesn't feel the same.

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“When you get games in the domestic cups and you go out in the first round both times, it's tough to deal with. Luckily, I am mentally strong enough to deal with it and push it to one side.

“When you are fighting for the league, you have to put your own interests aside and work in the way you can to help the team.”

Mignolet wanted to leave last summer but after being told that Liverpool needed him to stick around he accepted that decision and knuckled down.

The 30-year-old shot-stopper epitomises the team ethic and spirit running through Klopp's squad. Personal disappointment has been put to one side.

“It's the way it has to be,” Mignolet said.

“We aren't just in this for each other, we're one group going for the same objective. We all have a part to play in that.

“Of course for me personally being on the bench celebrating a victory doesn't feel the same as when you are on the pitch. But at the same time I am still part of this group.

“You still enjoy it when Mo (Salah) scores a goal or Ali makes a big save. You try to live that in the same way as the guys who are playing.

“Inside the dressing room I feel respected by the boys and they try to push me forward.

“We have a good goalie group and they try to motivate me as well to ensure I stay focused and ready for when the team needs me.”

Mignolet insists the prospect of winning the club's first title since 1990 isn't a hot topic of discussion among his team-mates.

They have taken on board Klopp's message about simply focusing on the next challenge which is Leicester City at Anfield on Wednesday night.

But after all the near misses of recent years – from the title heartache of 2014 to the European final defeats in Basel and Kiev – Mignolet knows what getting the job done would mean to the supporters.

“All of the players here would instantly become legends. It would be massive after so long without winning it,” he said.

“But now isn't the time to think about that. In the dressing room we never really speak about the title.

“We know we are in the race, we don't have to be silly. It's a positive at this stage of the season but things can change quickly. We need to keep at this level to stay in the race.

“We've won the last two since losing to City. That defeat made things tighter at the top but the performance was something where we showed we are on the same level as them. The belief is high.

“All the fans are so hungry and eager for it. The title is the biggest thing you can fight for.

“We all have a part to play to really push the lads and do our jobs the best that we can to help us achieve it.”