The Reds were hailed by Lille manager Bruno Genesio after the sides met in the Champions League in midweek and the captain believes it is proof that their hard work on the training ground is paying off.

Van Dijk said: "I think it sort of gives confirmation we are on the right track.

"We work in every game so hard to be a very difficult team to beat. When other managers are giving you praise for not only the way you attack, but defend as well as a group, and the bodies you get back behind the ball that is only a good sign and credit to all the hard work each and every one has been putting in.

"That's the only thing we should take from it and other than that it is just focusing on doing it and staying consistent."

It has been a year since Jurgen Klopp stunned the world of football by announcing his Anfield exit and Van Dijk insists that his successor Arne Slot hasn't had to make any "major tweaks" to get the team playing so well.

The Dutch defender said: "If we have surprised ourselves, I don't know.

"I know this squad already for a couple of years so there are not many changes; obviously the biggest change is the manager and the staff and how he wants us to play and I think we adapted to that pretty quickly.

"I don't think there are major tweaks but the boys have been doing brilliantly and that has been shown and we have to keep that going until the end of the season and hopefully we can get the reward for that."