Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk reaffirmed the standards he sets for himself on the pitch.

The Reds have been enduring a miserable run of form over the past few months in all competitions.

Not only are they adrift in domestic league action and out of the domestic cups, but they lost 5-2 to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.

"I have nothing to say on that. I set high standards. People try to hold me to that so that's what I try to do," Van Dijk said of Dutch legend Gullit's scathing views on him, per The Mirror.

"Coming back from the big injury and then being out for six weeks is tough so playing three games for 90 minutes is something I'm very proud of and have worked hard for."

"Van Dijk puts his hands behind his back like a speed-skater and he bends his knees like speed-skaters do," Gullit had stated.

"His body is leaning forward. He kind of kneels down in his moves and only has his hands behind his back so he avoids a handball when the striker shoots. That, for me, is too easy - and it looks clumsy."