The cornerstone of Liverpool's rock-solid defence, the Dutchman is one of six players in the running for the prestigious individual gong
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has backed "outstanding" Virgil van Dijk for the PFA Player of the Year award, admitting that he would be upset to see his defender miss out.
Van Dijk has marshalled the Premier League's most formidable backline in 2018-19, with the Reds conceding just 20 goals in their 34 games to date in the top flight.
As well as keeping the club alongside Manchester City in the title race, that form has placed the Dutchman amongst the top candidates for the individual prize.
And when quizzed on his charge, Klopp affirmed that Van Dijk was the obvious pick for Player of the Year.
"Would I feel sad if Van Dijk doesn’t win Player of the Year? For him yes, of course," he explained to reporters.
"He’s had an outstanding season. Will he have deserved it? Of course. It was last season when Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah both played unbelievable seasons and Mo won it.
"We were happy about that and not because De Bruyne lost it, because he would have deserved it as well.
"I think it is the same again in this case. It’s clear, the same again, I would be really happy for Virgil to win it, that’s clear."
Van Dijk is one of six players in the running for the award, five of whom are active for the two Premier League challengers.
City trio Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva represent the current table-toppers, while Chelsea star Eden Hazard and fellow Red Sadio Mane round off the shortlist.
Liverpool's first priority, however, will be to regain the lead at the Premier League summit snatched away on Saturday thanks to City's 1-0 defeat of Tottenham.
A point back from the holders, Klopp's charges can go top once more on Sunday with victory over relegation battlers Cardiff in south Wales.
The Citizens will then fulfil their game in hand midweek away to bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
losdilmnu
69
VVD clearly deserves it for me. Because if it wasn't for him, City would've already been crowned champions, his impact on the team was stronger than Salahs impact, not by only scoring important goals, but stopping everyone that comes in front of him. Sterling has talent to dominate in the coming years, as he's maturing into the player Liverpool didn't see him turning into, but Van Dijk has made Liverpool a real contender for both Prem and Champions league with his ability to stop everyone he's come against so far. I can't wait to see him take on Messi on both semi final legs. It'll be the match an unstoppable force that Messi is meets an immovable object Van Dijk has made of himself. True titans come across and it will be a wonderful fixture for the footballing world.
RoverSanil
68
Eden Hazard deserves it Most goal contributions ■ Key passes ■ Fouls won ■ Most dribbles ■ Areals won ■
iKingstonkiss
40
What the hell does Messi have to do with this? Sterling does not standout as much as Van Dijk is all I am saying. There are many players in similar position with similar performance to him. Not to mention Van Dijk's tranformative impact on Liverpool. To show that neither is close to him so why act like one of them is much better than the other? Already got rid of it cause i knew Some people would fall over it. Have you watched enough of city and Liverpool to know that Sterling doesnt standout as much? Hmm why do you have to be close to Messi to be much better than someone? Terrible reasoning.