The Reds are just a point behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race and are looking like serious contenders again.

 

They finished outside the top four last season and Van Dijk’s form was one of the reasons why they looked unstable at the back.

 

 

 

The defender has been coping with criticism since returning from a serious knee injury last year, but the Dutchman stressed that he cannot take everything seriously and is aware of when he has not played well.

 

He conceded that last season was tough for both Liverpool and the Netherlands as he struggled for form.

 

 

However, he believes he and Liverpool have found their rhythm again and he is no longer feeling the effects of the serious knee injury.

 

Van Dijk told Dutch daily the Algemeen Dagblad: “I take some criticism very seriously but not everything.

 

 

“I know very well when I have played well and when I have not.

 

“Last season was mediocre, sometimes even bad.

 

“As a team, we had a lot of difficulty in finding good rhythm at Liverpool.

 

“The Nations League with the national team was not good as well.

 

“I have thought and talked about it a lot in order to turn it around.

 

“I think we succeeded. Things have been going very well again since the summer.

 

“I feel I can do everything again.”

 

Van Dijk and the Netherlands will be in European Championship qualifier action against Ireland and Gibraltar during the international break.