Liverpool centre-half Virgil van Dijk has hit back at the club's critics this week.

The Dutch defender could not resist a chance to take a swipe at those who were loudest in their criticisms of the players and manager Jurgen Klopp earlier this season.

The Reds are on an impressive winning run that could see them nick a spot in the top four of the Premier League before the season ends.

Van Dijk defended his teammates, especially Egyptian attacker Mohamed Salah.

"Statistics show that (he is making history) and we shouldn't forget he's playing as a winger," Van Dijk told reporters.

"And that's also quite rare to score so many goals in that position.

"There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes, for Mo in this case. But it goes for a lot of players that nobody really sees.

"For him to be fit for 97% of the games, that's maybe the most difficult thing along with staying consistent each and every game.

"I don't think there's anything to argue with that (Salah is an all-time great). I don't think it's rare to say that.

"He is doing it consistently, even when we are struggling he has still found a way to be important for the team. Being consistent every three or four days, obviously you can have games where you don't score but you can reach that level, and also stay fit, that's the most difficult thing to do.

"People don't really speak about those kind of things too much, but maybe we should. On top of that, his numbers speak for themselves. In the world we live in nowadays, maybe the respect comes after he has stopped playing.

"But I don't think he cares about that anyway. He just wants to keep doing what he's doing and be important for the club. That's the main thing."