Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has hit back at criticism from Dutch pundits this week.

Van Dijk hit back after coming under further criticism from Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullitt and Gertjan Verbeek over his role as Holland captain.

He argued: "This is of no use to me. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion these days, that's the case.

"Did I set the bar unrealistically high? How is that possible? It was never perfect, consistent is the right word. We've had a lot of success with the team. Football players, they know that better than anyone, have high peaks and deep lows.

"It's quite normal that you can't always play consistently. That you have a phase as a club or player where you are looking for your level. People should not forget that.

"It is normal that people make mistakes, that it is part of football and that it is very human. Regardless of who gets a platform and is allowed to say what, so that things are made big. You know better than anyone when you are doing something right or not."