Virgil van Dijk believes he has regained his importance for Liverpool this season after admitting to falling short of his own high standards last term.

The Reds captain has been in impressive form in recent weeks to help Jurgen Klopp's side enjoy a strong start to the Premier League campaign that sees them just a point behind leaders Manchester City going into the showdown between the top two at the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime.

It is in contrast to the previous season when the distraction of the mid-season World Cup, a hamstring injury and Liverpool's overall drop in form combined to ensure an inconsistent campaign in which Van Dijk attracted criticism.

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The Holland international was then suspended for two games early on this term having been sent off at Newcastle United, but has been outstanding since his return and was key to Liverpool keeping clean sheets in three of their last four Premier League games and ensuring no club has conceded fewer goals in the top flight so far this season.

And of his form, Van Dijk said: "I just feel very good and I want to keep going. For me, what is 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 (this season). Last year saw ups and downs, good games and less good games. I'm held to a very high standard and I still am and 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."

Van Dijk has been routinely criticised in his native Holland in his role as captain of the national team, despite leading them to the World Cup quarter-finals 12 months ago and qualification for next summer's European Championships with two games to spare.

But the 32-year-old is instead focusing on just his form and embracing having become Liverpool skipper in the summer following the departure of Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia.

"The only thing I can influence is how I play and last year I know I wasn't at my best," he said. "I had good games and lesser good games and I just have to perform on the pitch. I feel very good and let's see what it brings this season.

"What I strive for each and every game but also all season is consistency, that the team can rely on me at a certain level all the time and this year definitely off the pitch with the captaincy, something I enjoy and am learning still. I'm not perfect but I am doing it my way and enjoying the challenge."

With James Milner having also left before the new season, Trent Alexander-Arnold was named as Liverpool's new vice-captain. And Van Dijk has explained how the defender is adapting to the extra responsibility.

“I hope it has helped him," said the centre-back. "Whether he likes it or not, and I think he does like it, he has to take that responsibility. He will grow into it, he's not the most vocal guy out there but he is learning and doing his thing and it's really good how he copes with it, especially off the pitch and taking that responsibility.

"It is a new role but it suits him as well especially as a local guy who knows everything about the club, and it's nice for the younger boys who are coming through the ranks as well."