The France defender has endured an inconsistent season so far, though Van Dijk heaped praise on his defensive partner after Saturday's win against Brighton.
“It's obviously the basis to success, to not concede chances, let alone goals,” the skipper told reporters. “Unfortunately we conceded far too many and that's the reality, but we can only look ahead, try to avoid goals, and that's what we did in the last two games.
“The season is very long and we want to keep doing that but obviously it's a lot of work that will be needed. Everyone at his best helps, everyone in the team, that's why it's a team sport.
“Ibou is a fantastic defender and obviously when the team is not performing as a collective, then we as the last line can be exposed.
“That happened at times as well as individual mistakes costing us, including myself at times. Unfortunately that's part of the game.
“It's how you deal with it, how you react to it. Ibou as an example has been, in the last two games, especially outstanding.
“He's working on things like we all do, he helps me, I help him, and that's how it should be.
“We are not perfect, he wants the best for the club, and I'm pretty sure that will be absolutely fine.”
Van Dijk continued: “I've been very fortunate at Anfield to win a lot of games and keep clean sheets and feel like there's no way a team can beat us here, and that feeling was incredible.
“Obviously the last couple of weeks we have been struggling and going through ups and downs and that's obviously difficult to take.
“But it's all about the hard work and confidence and the way the fans are with each other that matters.
“I think you see today but also the midweek game how much commitment there is and that's obviously a good thing for me to see as a captain.”