Simon Mignolet signs long-term contract with Liverpool

Criticism from pundits and supporters be damned.

Simon Mignolet inked a new long-term contract with Liverpool on Monday that, according to the Guardian and Sky Sports, runs until 2021.

(Courtesy: Liverpool)

Mignolet, 27, was reportedly approached about a contract extension at the end of last year, when Jurgen Klopp declared his confidence in the Belgian 'keeper. Two-and-a-half years were apparently left on his old deal, which saw him earn £60,000 per week.

"I'm very pleased that I can be at Anfield and a part of Liverpool for a long future," Mignolet said. "I'm happy to commit my future to LFC. I know signing a new contract comes with new responsibility. I'm getting older as well and coming into the years where people would say those are the years a 'keeper is at his best.

"I know with a long-term contract, you get more responsibility - and I want to take up that role because I'm the sort of character that wants to be a leader, wants to speak in the dressing room and wants to help the defence. I'll try to work hard together with the goalkeeping coach and staff here, who are behind me and have given their confidence with a new contract.

"I would like to thank them for that - but you can't really do that with words, you have to do that with performances on the pitch. And that's what I'll try to show."

Mignolet has appeared in 21 of Liverpool's 22 Premier League fixtures so far this season, producing seven clean sheets and helping the Reds to a 4-1 victory over Manchester City in heroic fashion.