A drop in form by the Netherlands captain has coincided with an underwhelming start to the season by Liverpool which has seen them pick just nine points from their first six Premier League games.
A 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the UEFA Champions League during which Van Dijk conceded a penalty saw the former Southampton defender and his Liverpool side come under severe criticism.
Van Dijk produced a better performance as Netherlands defeated Poland 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday and the 31-year-old admitted afterwards that he has been critical of his own recent performances.
Van Dijk produced a better performance as Netherlands defeated Poland 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday and the 31-year-old admitted afterwards that he has been critical of his own recent outings.
"I know I could have done better in the beginning of the season. I'm not naive about that. I know very well when I make mistakes," Van Dijk said.
"I also know that I am one of the important players at the club and of course also here at the national team. I feel that responsibility.
"Mentally it's a challenge. You feel a lot of pressure on your head. A lot of people forget that too, it's not easy to do that.
"We all try to show our best and if, in my case, you are one of the mainstays at the club, then you get the criticism you deserve. You have to deal with that and that is not always easy. But I did that just fine."
