Liverpool’s Van Dijk beats Sterling to Premier League Player of the Season award
VIRGIL VAN DIJK has pipped Raheem Sterling to the Premier League Player of the Season award.
The Liverpool defender and Man City forward were the clear front-runners for the gong after their stunning seasons.
Van Dijk, 27, has been colossal in the heart of defence in Liverpool’s pursuit of Manchester City for the title.
His side have registered 20 clean sheets in 37 matches and his form also earned him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year gong.
The Dutchman has also become the first defender since John Terry in 2005 to be crowned the league’s best player throughout the course of the season.
But Sterling can feel aggrieved that he missed out on the award.
The England forward has scored 17 goals and a further 10 assists in 30 Premier League starts to fire City to the top of the table.
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He continues his remarkable form after scoring 18 and notching 11 assists last season.
Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva and Eden Hazard were also all in the running.
Van Dijk also becomes the second Liverpool player to win it in succession after Salah one year ago.