Van Dijk: Unique circumstances has played a major part in inconsistent season so far

Virgil Van Dijk says the fact that the Premier League season is going on a long hiatus has been challenging factor to adapt to.

While the drop off in consistency by Liverpool has been largely documented, Van Dijk says it has subconsciously played on the mind on the majority of teams in the Premier League this season (per the Echo).

“I would say the last couple of months has been just strange.

“Everyone is trying to find consistency, not only us as a team and as a club, but if you look at other teams around it is just difficult. No-one really can put a finger on it.

"Obviously a big part of this is because there is going to be a such a big break coming up and the World Cup and players getting injured, players not fully fit. It was strange, it was difficult for everyone, but I can only speak for us because I'm in the middle of it.”

With the team having its ups and downs, an easy target for criticism has been big money summer signing Darwin Nunez.

And although a early season red card was untimely to say the least, the Uruguayan was always going to be a long term project and any comparisons with Erling Haaland was way off the mark.

As someone who has a fair idea about the traits which make a good striker, Van Dijk is not surprised with the current form where he has scored seven goals in his last 10 games for the club.

“He has all the qualities for a modern-day striker There is a reason why we bought him and he's maturing, he's stayed patient, kept his head down and played and that's a credit to him and hopefully he can keep scoring and stay important for the group.

"We never doubted his quality but obviously when you have a price tag like that and the goals are not flowing like you want it, it's good (that he's shown character) and I think he's done very well.

"He learns how we want to play, he learns what we expect from him, obviously he plays a little bit on the left but also has a free role coming into the middle. It takes time, you know. It is a new team, new environment, new country, new language so it is absolutely normal for him to take a little bit more time (to settle in) but there is no doubt the qualities are there and the goals will follow."

The large majority of Liverpool players have been down on their exceptionally high standards this season, but there is one figure that the team has been largely indebted to, that being Alisson.

Van Dijk says that while you never want to be over reliant on a keeper, the team are very lucky to have the freshly shaven Brazilian which did not go unnoticed.

“I said to him ‘you look like an American guy’, just a random guy He sometimes does it and this was how he prepared himself for the World Cup, but what a guy. We have a great relationship with him and hopefully he will do well in the World Cup.

“You shouldn’t take anyone for granted and he’s had a very successful last six years. We certainly never do that. He’s important for the group on and off the pitch. We don’t want him to have to make saves, first and foremost but he has been outstanding."