Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has extended his contract at Anfield by five years, keeping him tied down to the Merseyside outfit until 2021.

The Belgium international has been the Reds' number one shot-stopper since his arrival from Sunderland in the summer of 2013.

The 27-year-old recorded more clean sheets than any other Premier League goalkeeper in 2015, but his recent inconsistent displays have drawn criticism.

Last week, Mignolet conceded three goals against Arsenal and failed to stop Wayne Rooney in what was Manchester United's only shot on target during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Anfield.

Today, Mignolet told the club's official website that his best years as a Liverpool player are ahead of him.

"I'm very pleased that I can be at Anfield and a part of Liverpool for a long future. I'm happy to commit my future to LFC," said Mignolet. "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, who is second behind Joe Hart in keeping the most clean sheets since his transfer in 2013, has made 122 appearances for the Reds so far in his career.