Virgil van Dijk feels back to his best ahead of Manchester City showdown

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes his best form has returned ahead of his side's top-of-the-table clash with Premier League champions Manchester City.

Van Dijk’s reputation as one of the world’s elite centre-backs has been under scrutiny since a knee injury in October 2020 sidelined him for nine months and last season’s campaign only intensified the criticism.

The Dutchman, who took over the captaincy from Jordan Henderson in the summer, does not back away from the fact he was well below his best as Liverpool finished fifth last term, but he believes there has been an upturn in his form and he is feeling "important" again.

"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 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 my team-mates 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 definitely feel I did."

Van Dijk’s biggest critics are in his homeland, with the likes of Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit among the most outspoken.

He has brushed it off in the past and continues to do so, with his form appearing to be peaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to face leaders City.

"The only thing I can influence is how I play and last year I know I wasn’t at my best," added the Dutchman when asked about the criticism.

"What I strive for each and every game but also all season is