Van Dijk has failed to capture the kind of form that made him one of the best defenders in Europe in the last few years and his inconsistencies have affected Liverpool this season.
Former Netherlands stars Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit have criticised the defender for his lack of leadership and poor performances in the ongoing campaign.
The centre-back has now hit back at his detractors and insisted that it is not normal at some point in their careers every player will be trying to get out of a rut and it is very human to make mistakes and lose form.
He stressed that as a player he knows what he is doing right or wrong, but it is difficult when someone is going through an up-and-down season and insisted that he is not a robot.
Van Dijk told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport: “It’s quite normal that one can’t always play consistently.
“That you have a phase as a club or player, where you are trying to find your level again. People should not forget that.
“It’s normal to make mistakes and that is part of football and is very human.
“Regardless of who gets a platform and what they are allowed to say, it is always made something big.
“You know better than anyone when you are doing something right or not.
“These are difficult times at the club, also with ups and downs. I am very positive about the future and try to play at my best every game.
“We are not robots, let’s not forget that.
“Maybe people sometimes forget that.”
Van Dijk will hope to prove his critics wrong and help Liverpool to break into the Premier League’s top four this season.
