Virgil van Dijk admits the disruption caused by the forthcoming World Cup has been a key factor in Liverpool's "strange" season - and is confident Darwin Nunez is now finding his stride at Anfield.
The Reds signed off ahead of the six-week break for the tournament in Qatar with a 3-1 home Premier League win over Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
While reaching the last 16 of the Champions League and Carabao Cup, Jurgen Klopp's side are seven points off the top four - albeit with a game in hand - and a whopping 15 points adrift of runaway leaders Arsenal.
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And Van Dijk, who is one of seven Liverpool players now jetting off to the World Cup, has pinpointed the unique circumstances of the campaign as contributing to issues for the Reds and many of their rivals.
"I would say the last couple of months has been just strange," said the Netherlands captain. "Everyone is trying to find consistency, not only us as a team and as a club, but if you look at other teams around it is just difficult. No-one really can put a finger on it.
"Obviously a big part of this is because there is going to be a such a big break coming up and the World Cup and players getting injured, players not fully fit. It was strange, it was difficult for everyone, but I can only speak for us because I'm in the middle of it.
"But it was good to find a bit of stability in the last couple of games. Obviously a lot of players will still work during the break after a holiday period first. It was good to reach 22 points. It has been a tough couple of months but I think it was very important to win a tough game against a team with a new manager."
Darwin Nunez scored twice - his first brace for Liverpool - to move on to nine for the campaign, with only four Premier League players having scored more in all competitions this season.
Seven of the Uruguayan's strikes have come in his last 10 outings, and Van Dijk is convinced the striker is now finding his groove following a potential £85million move from Benfica in the summer.
"He has all the qualities for a modern-day striker," said the defender. "There is a reason why we bought him and he's maturing, he's stayed patient, kept his head down and played and that's a credit to him and hopefully he can keep scoring and stay important for the group.
"We never doubted his quality but obviously when you have a price tag like that and the goals are not flowing like you want it, it's good (that he's shown character) and I think he's done very well.
"He learns how we want to play, he learns what we expect from him, obviously he plays a little bit on the left but also has a free role coming into the middle. It takes time, you know. It is a new team, new environment, new country, new language so it is absolutely normal for him to take a little bit more time (to settle in) but there is no doubt the qualities are there and the goals will follow."
Liverpool were indebted to a trio of second-half saves from Alisson Becker to ensure a fourth successive victory, with the goalkeeper's freshly-shaven look having caused a stir in the dressing room before the game.
"I said to him ‘you look like an American guy’, just a random guy!" said Van Dijk. "He sometimes does it and this was how he prepared himself for the World Cup, but what a guy. We have a great relationship with him and hopefully he will do well in the World Cup.
“You shouldn’t take anyone for granted and he’s had a very successful last six years. We certainly never do that. He’s important for the group on and off the pitch. We don’t want him to have to make saves, first and foremost. He had to do so (on Saturday) and he was outstanding."
Van Dijk's Netherlands could meet Brazil in the semi-finals of the World Cup next month, and he said: “Brazil are a very good team, they have two of the best goalies in their squad, and in my opinion the best goalie in the world is Alisson. It will be difficult in this form to get past him. If we play against him, I will try my best.”
Roberto Firmino scored Liverpool's opener against Southampton to strengthen his position as the top-scoring Brazilian in the Premier League this season with nine goals.
That, though, wasn't enough for the 31-year-old to be called into his country's squad for the World Cup, and Van Dijk added: "I think Bobby should be in, but who am I to say that? It’s a decision for the manager to make and fortunately for Bobby, he’s going on holiday.
“He took it on the chin, all you can do is recover and be ready for the rest of the season and I think he will do that.”
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