Virgil van Dijk has beaten Raheem Sterling to become the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for 2019.
The official announcement is due on Thursday but the Liverpool centre-half has won the backing of his fellow professionals for his outstanding contribution in the best defence in the Premier League this season.
The Dutchman was on a six-man shortlist that included his Anfield team-mate Sadio Mane as well as Sterling, fellow Manchester City players Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
Victory for Van Dijk means the prize remains with Liverpool, following Mohamed Salah’s triumph last season.
Other Liverpool players to have been awarded the honour are Luis Suarez (2013-14), Steven Gerrard (2005-06), John Barnes (1987-88), Ian Rush (1983-84), Kenny Dalglish (1982-83) and Terry McDermott (1979-80).
The 2019 PFA Awards will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on April 28.
Amis_moses_zulu
563
he deserves every thing including my wife
Divyansh26
281
The impact this player had on us is just phenomenal he has been the most outstanding player for us this season not only he defends but scored goals provides assists and when needed also captains the team ............ Been the most All round player not only for us but throughout this competition and He hasn't been dribbled past this season at EPL so he is deserving no Arguments....... Congrats VVD....... You'll never walk alone😊......
Wakbdoyz
199
I knew it would be hard for Raheem Sterling to win, due to the racism issue that has been a major break down towards Raheem Sterling’s achievements. Not to take anything away from van dijk, who without any doubt has played exceptionally well for Liverpool this season but all is said and done there is nothing we can do about it so congratulations to van dijk👏🥇. (AND YES I AM A BIG FAN OF THE GREAT RAHEEM STERLING)
Ulsana_Ram
133
Imagine going from Southampton one day to playing in a Champions league final, becoming your national team captain, scoring that crucial goal to send your team to the Nation's Legaue semifinals, captaining your national side to the Nation's Legaue semifinals, having one of the best defensive records for the reds, breaking records at Liverpool and in the EPL, playing back to back champions league semi finals and scoring absolute bangers.
muhammad9963
82
Liverpool are becoming unstoppable. Salah or mane will be winning Africa best player, firmino the best false nine, Arnold young best defender and now van dijk. Still waiting for my revenge against bacerlona. You are my only hope
Germany-lover
81
why rushing? still 3 games to go, what if city will be losing and sterling brings them back by scoring 2-3 goals every game? and what if (and I truly like van dijk) what if he scores 2-3 own goals that causes his team lose EPL.. these things are not supposed or expected to happen but I'm just saying it's not right to pick from now.. wait untill the end of week 38 and then choose.
dennisachafu
76
Liverpool players are winning award without trophies. The epl player of the year always go to a player in the league winning team because of the contributions in winning the league. If you score 40 goals out of selfishness and cannot have a team work to give your team trophies, it's of no use.
Hoebdlotz
65
I respect that decision but in my opinion I thing Raheem Sterling deserves it more. but any way it is football and they have different role and also different impacts for different clubs. but vigil van. has performed marvelously this season and that means he also deserves to win it, non is bad. Sterling should keep his form up for next year's PFA Award. ### A. Baaki
Zere8
63
Wise from fellow Pros, Sterling has been good all season but i think we have seen better attacking stats in PL previous seasons..last season Salah stats set high standard for an attacking player, so Sterling’s is not the best to be crowned POTY with this stats..meanwhile VVD has best defensive stats which is hard to match by every defenders in the league, not to mention his impact on the team too. Congratulations VVD! You deserved it
Steroh2000
62
This guy deserved it more than anyone and by far the best player in the Epl this season
Wyse70
61
Last season a Liverpool won the PFA player of the year but city won the EPL .The same thing has happened this season by a Liverpool player wining the PFA play of the year . You know what that means.
EmeraldJ
61
The Best news... Well deserved... I am Manchester United fan and we have a long standing rivalry with Liverpool. But this guy stands out among all defenders in EPL and even in the world. He's doing well for himself. and apart from Ramos and Chellieni this guy is the best
FungSaiYuk
59
Well deserve Virgil Van Dijk. Sterling does have an amazing season , so does Bernardo Silva. HEUNG MIN SON did deserve something . He have made a huge impact for Tottenham this year. I LOVE WATCHING PREMIER LEAGUE MORE THAN SPANISH LEAGUE and BUNDELSLIGA. Forget about Farmers League i dont have time for them.
wapabkpryz
58
Statistically, Eden Hazard is the best player in the PL, but, Virgil is Liverpool's most important player this season and PL's stand out performer who has influenced the PL with his all round performance.......Glad to know PL's POTY awards doesn't go to the best goalscorers only. 👍👍👍👍👍 Virgil Van Dijk 👍👍👍👍👍s
sjohnson
57
congrats big Virg... people say you dont deserve it and sterling does.. little do they know that if you miss a game it could cost liverpool a lot but if sterling misses a game they have a rock solid attack that can easily fill in the goals for city
Fionnos26o
57
New he would do it, he is the one of the best defenders in the world🌎 he will win the champions league and the prem with Liverpool this season
MayankAbiNiraula
47
if LFC wins EPL and UCL by chance. I wish a defender win Ballondr. Good luck Van Dij, If luka Modric can win why not him? Messi got good stats ,ronaldo less this year. but new players should now be awarded.Messi and ronaldo need no award they already are the best
HerbertNexton
39
VDD has been the most outstanding defender in all competitions this season. He surely deserved that trophy & it's self explanatory when you compare Liverpool without VDD & Liverpool with VDD.., There is a lot of impact from him to the Liverpool team....., UCL finalists last season & they are at the UCL semi finals this season & still the most favorite to win the premier League this season.... Alot of effort from VDD, Congs to him
zaslmptyz
38
absolute gem of a defender. though obvious, obviously better than carragher lol. on his way to become a kop legend. I'm a big fan of world class defending, and VVD makes it look easier with every game. I'm saying this as a United fan: based on current form, VVD > Ramos, Godin, Kouli, etc. he reminds me of a combination of pique and jaap stam. has the attributes of a modern ball playing CB like the former and that of an ole school classic CB in stam.
naelkayyali
36
Liverpool has the best players in EPL Top scorer Salah Best goalkeeper best strikers best young talent Alex and of course the manager Klopp