Before his team faces Premier League winners Manchester City at the top of the table, captain of Liverpool Virgil van Dijk feels that he is back to his best.

When a knee injury in October 2020 kept Van Dijk out of action for nine months, his status as one of the best center-backs in the world came under fire; the campaign of the previous season only served to heighten the criticism.

Even though he was well below his best when Liverpool finished fifth the previous season, the Dutchman—who replaced Jordan Henderson as captain in the summer—does not deny that his form has improved and he is once again feeling “important.”

Read Also:Klopp Admits Liverpool Was Not In Best Form Against Toulouse

“Last year saw ups and downs, good games and less good games,” said the Netherlands captain.

“I’m held to a very high standard and I still am.

“That’s what I’ve created and I enjoy that. If that’s not the case then something’s not right.

“But I feel like I am in a good moment physically and mentally and I feel like I am important.

” I just feel very good and I want to keep going.

“For me, the most important thing is how I feel, what teammates feel about me and especially the manager.

“All the noise from the outside, whether it is very good or very bad you can’t do anything with it.

“I want to keep improving and I feel I did.”