Van Dijk Makes Away With PFA Player Of The Year Award Ahead Of Raheem Sterling
Van Dijk has been handpicked as the Professional Football Association (PFA) Player of the Year ahead of other stars including Manchester City’s Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, team-mate Sadio Mane, Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
The centre-back has become the second Liverpool player in as many years to pick the award after Mohammed Salah did the same in the 2017/2018 campaign.
His closest contender, Raheem Sterling was not left out of the celebrations and accolades as he bagged for himself the PFA Young Player Award after fellow City player Leroy Sane notched the same award last term.
The 24-yr-old has been instrumental to Manchester City title retaining campaign with a contribution of 17 goals and 10 assists with 3 games left to play.
On the flip side, Van Dijk has proved to be worth every penny paid for his services as he has marshalled the defence line effectively well with Liverpool conceding the fewest goals this term including 20 clean sheets.
The Dutch International became the most expensive defender after he was snapped up by Liverpool from Southampton with several football analysts suggesting that he wasn’t worth the price at the time.
Van Dijk has proven these suggestions wrong and has in addition to his defensive prowess, put in three goals and two assists this term with another two goals and two assists in the Champions League.
Consequently, Liverpool sit just one point below league leaders, Manchester City who seem to be running away with the title.
Liverpool have only lost once this season, thanks to their solidity at the back with the towering Van Dijk being a constant face in a defensive line-up that has seen several forced changes due to injuries.
Joe Gomez, the Dutch’s favourite partner has been out for most parts of the season and Matip, Lovren, Milner and Fabinho have at one time taken positions beside him in centre-back position.
