Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has taken aim at some of the criticism that came his way last season.

Van Dijk, who had been hyped up as the best defender in the world by many pundits and fans, has not enjoyed the best 12 months.

Various injury issues and a mediocre World Cup saw his stock decline, which Van Dijk resents.

"Sometimes the criticism was just right, both on the team and on me individually," he told Algemeen Dagblad.

"Quite often but not entirely. But either way; you have to be able to deal with it, and I'm glad I came out of that well. Mentally, that's not always easy.

"Criticism is just part of it and it's certainly not a problem if it's justified. But therein lies a bit of a difference. A footballer knows very well when he has played well or badly, so also whether (the) criticism is justified.

"But it also happens that comments are mainly intended to be effective. That things are said for the sake of saying them. There are so many platforms on which people can express their opinions these days."