Virgil van Dijk could make his 300th appearance for Liverpool this weekend against Ipswich Town, and this season could hardly be going any better for his side.

Liverpool is in talks with Van Dijk's representatives over a new deal with his existing agreement expiring in the summer but so far, there has been no breakthrough with the Dutchman. On the field, though, it isn't proving a distraction.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool is top of the Premier League table and has won all seven of its Champions League ties. Brentford boss Thomas Frank said at the weekend that the Reds are the best team in the world at the moment and Lille striker Jonathan David was in agreement after he scored at Anfield.

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"It's confirmation that we're on the right track," Van Dijk said. "We work every day so hard to be a very difficult team to beat. When other managers are giving you praise not only for how you attack, but how you defend as well, and the bodies you get behind the ball, that is only a good sign. It shows the hard work that each and every one of us has been putting in."

"At this point, we didn't achieve anything," he admitted. "We are in the place in both competitions (the Premier League and the Champions League) that everyone is fighting for. We have to stay calm and we will.

"If we have surprised ourselves, I don't know. I know this squad, obviously, already for a couple of years and there is not many changes. The biggest change is the manager and the staff and the way they want us to play.

"We adapted to that quickly and I don't think there was major changes but the boys have been doing brilliantly. We have to keep that going until the end of the season and let's see if we can get the reward for that as well."

In the latter stages of last season, Liverpool tailed off when the crunch part of the campaign arrived. But Van Dijk is hopeful that something similar won't happen this time around. "If I say yes here and then it goes wrong..." he said with a smile when asked if it should be different this time.

"No, listen, you have to learn from difficult moments that don't go your way. Most of the guys in the dressing room have experienced last year and it should make you better and aware of how to deal with certain situations and circumstances. You should be better equipped, in my opinion, so let's see.

"At the moment, I'm looking at our team and we are very calm. We are working our socks off every day with every game and we need everyone fit. That's the aim and the mentality is game by game. It's a nice ride and I think we should enjoy it as well."