Liverpool’s top five Signings of the last decade

Liverpool, after a stuttering start to the last decade, have been a dominant force to be reckoned with. The club’s fortunes have turned around since Jurgen Klopp took over the reins in 2015. In his first season, the Reds made it to the finals of the League Cup and the UEFA Europa League.

A UEFA Champions League final appearance followed in 2017-18, following which they finally lifted Europe’s most coveted trophy in 2018-19. The 2019-20 season has already seen them lift the FIFA Club World Cup and looks set to end with a Premier League triumph for the Merseyside giants.

There have been some exceptional players to have walked through the doors at Anfield during the last decade. But who have been the most stand-out acquisitions for Liverpool during this period? Read on to find out…

Luis Suarez

Signed in the January transfer window in 2011 from AFC Ajax, as a replacement for the outgoing Fernando Torres, the Uruguayan had his fair share of his controversies during his time at Liverpool. But, his goal-scoring record during this period speaks for itself.

Suarez spent three and a half years at Anfield, during which he plundered 82 goals and 47 assists in 133 appearances across all competitions. That comes up almost direct involvement in goal in each of his appearance for the Reds – prolific indeed.

Led by his 31 goals, Liverpool came ever so close to winning the Premier League for the first time ever in 2013-14. The Reds sold him to Barcelona in 2014, but the Uruguayan striker will be fondly remembered, especially for his sensational exploits in 2013-14.

Jordan Henderson

The English midfielder, signed from Sunderland in an 18 million deal in 2011, wasn’t always held in high regard at Anfield. In fact, for much of his early tenure, Jordan Henderson was often criticized by the fans. But that has changed drastically in recent years, with the midfielder now a favourite among the Kop!

Henderson might not be someone who dazzles fans with his skills and trickery, but his commitment and his passion for the badge, coupled with the way he marshals his troops on the field, has made him an integral member of Klopp’s team.

Henderson is the longest-serving player on Liverpool’s roster currently with 359 appearances, scoring 28 goals and notching up 50 assists. The 29-year-old will go down as a Champions League winning captain in Liverpool’s history and if the Premier League season resumes, he will also go down as the man who led the Reds to their first ever Premier League title triumph.

Sadio Mane

One of the many players to have made the move from Southampton to Liverpool in recent years, Sadio Mane signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2016 and has since grown from strength to strength, establishing himself as one of the deadliest attackers in the Premier League and Europe.

The Senegalese speedster has been one of the chief driving forces behind Klopp’s brigade enjoying such success in recent seasons. So far, the 27-year-old has scored 77 goals and set up 34 more for his teammates, getting his hands on a Champions League winners’ medal last season.

The 2018-19 campaign also saw him win the Premier League Golden Boot as well and given his performances this season, Mane is a top contender to win the PFA Player of the Year award.

Mohamed Salah

Another of Klopp’s acquisitions that has helped change the landscape at Anfield, Mohamed Salah has been the biggest spark leading the charge for Liverpool in the past couple of seasons. Signed from AS Roma for a €42 million transfer fee, there was some skepticism early on due to his failed stint at Chelsea.

But Salah dispelled any such concerns in his debut season with the Reds, amassing a whopping 44 goals in all competitions, leading them to the finals of the Champions League. He followed it up with another fine campaign last time out, making it two Premier League Golden Boots in two seasons with the Merseysiders, while also firing his side to the Champions League, scoring a goal in the final against Spurs.

Salah has continued in the same vein of form this term as well. During his time at Liverpool, the Egyptian has broken several records already and could go on to topple many more should he keep performing the way he has been.

Virgil van Dijk

The missing piece of puzzle from Klopp’s brigade that turned them from near-contenders to a champion team, Virgil van Dijk signed for Liverpool in a club record £75 million deal in January 2018 from Southampton.

Up until his arrival, Liverpool had a deadly attack, but were found wanting at the back. But all that changed as soon as he arrived. The Dutchman has helped turn this Liverpool side into one of the most solid defensive units in England and Europe, playing a vital role in the club’s rise to the top.

Van Dijk was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for 2018-19, the UEFA Best Player of the Year 2019 and was the runner-up in 2019 Ballon d’Or, behind Lionel Messi. Till date he has made 118 appearances for the Reds, scoring 11 goals along the way.

Honourable Mentions: Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker

 

Image courtesy: AFP

Related tags:

LiverpoolMohamed Salah Ghaly - MidfielderJordan Brian Henderson - MidfielderLuis Alberto Suarez Diaz - ForwardVirgil Van Dijk - DefenderSadio Mane - Forward

Premier League team of the season so far

It has been quite a remarkable season of Premier League football. Liverpool have blown away everyone in their path to establish a near-unassailable lead at the top. Sheffield United have been the surprise package, pushing for a European spot finish on their first season back in the Premier League.

The top-six places are far from being decided yet with a host of clubs in contention, while the same goes for the relegation battle as well.

There have been a number of stellar individual performances along the way, with stars setting the stage alight week after week until the campaign was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Read | Premier League team of the season – Excluding top six clubs

With the pause button being pressed, let’s take a look back at the campaign and see who makes it to our Team of the Season so far;

Dean Henderson (Sheffield United) 

While Liverpool’s Alisson Becker has had another standout campaign and Burnley’s Nick Pope has also impressed heavily, it is Dean Henderson that gets the nod in our Team of the Season, owing to his sheer brilliance that has helped Sheffield United mount a surprise European qualification push.

The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper has kept ten clean sheets so far, helping the Blades to the second-best defensive record in the league. In what has been a fairytale season for him, Henderson has displayed great shot-stopping ability and positional awareness and is deserving of this spot.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) 

One of the easiest selections in this side, Trent Alexander-Arnold has continued to redefine the role of a right-back with masterful attacking displays, acting as Liverpool’s chief attacking outlet from the wing. The England international has the second-highest number of assists this season (12) and is second in the list for most chances created this term as well (75).

Read | Five contenders for PFA Young Player of the Year award

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Last season’s PFA Player of the Year, Virgil van Dijk may not have been able to reach the heights of the 2018-19 campaign, but continues to set the standards for centre-backs in the Premier League. 

A leader on the field, the Netherlands international has marshalled his backline excellently, acting as the cornerstone on which Liverpool’s campaign has been built upon. He has also chipped in with vital goals at the other end, making him an obvious pick in the Team of the Season so far.

Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester City) 

Liverpool’s Joe Gomez has shone again, while Sheffield United’s centre-back trio of Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack O’Connell has also stood out. But it is Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City who gets picked owing to the sheer impact that he has made for the Foxes this season.

Losing Harry Maguire in the summer was going to be quite a blow for Leicester, but Soyuncu has fitted in so seamlessly that Brendan Rodgers’ side have hardly felt the England international’s absence. The Turkish international has been an ever-present figure in the Foxes’ backline, helping them to the third place in the League table as well as the third-best defensive record in the competition.

Read | Five centre-backs Manchester City should target in summer

Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) 

Ben Chilwell was a contender for this spot given how well he has performed for Leicester, while Everton’s Lucas Digne was also considered. However, it is Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson who gets the nod owing to his impact on both ends of the field. 

One of the most solid full-backs defensively, the Scotsman has been a huge threat going forward as well and has contributed with a goal and seven assists for Liverpool’s title-winning cause. Robertson is an indispensable member of Jurgen Klopp’s side and it is not hard to see why.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Last season’s joint Golden Boot winner has been at it once again, spearheading Liverpool’s title challenge from the front. Salah has had ups and downs over the course of the campaign, but has still made a huge difference for Klopp’s brigade.

The Egyptian forward has bagged a total of 16 goals from 26 appearances this term – joint third-best in the league, while also setting up six more for his teammates. With nine matches still left to be played, it wouldn’t be surprising if he went on to bag the Golden Boot once again.

Read | Five players who could move to the Premier League this summer

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 

The best midfielder in the Premier League without a doubt. Manchester City may have stuttered in the defence of their Premier League title but Kevin De Bruyne has not missed a step over the course of the campaign, delivering the goods for Pep Guardiola’s side week in week out. 

The Belgian international tops the charts for most assists (16) and is set to beat Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single campaign (20). He is also the leading chance-creator in the Premier League this term with 96 – 21 more than the next closest competitor.

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) 

If the season resumes and Liverpool go on to win the title, a lot of the credit has to be given to captain Jordan Henderson. The midfielder has been a pivotal member of the team, performing in any role that has been asked of him and doing so consistently.

Henderson has scored three goals and set up five more himself, but his influence goes far beyond that. Hence, it was not surprising to see Liverpool go through a bad patch when their skipper was out injured last month. An obvious pick and a top contender for the PFA Player of the Year award for 2019-20.

Read | Rating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s signings at Manchester United

Sadio Mane (Liverpool) 

Goals, assists, work-rate off the ball, speed, creativity – the Senegalese international is a complete package. And more often than not, Mane has been the difference-maker for Liverpool this season with his pace and dynamism in the final third of the pitch.

The 27-year-old has netted 14 goals so far this season in 26 Premier League games, while also setting up nine more. Mane has scored six winning goals in the league this term – with only teammate Mo Salah scoring more (7).

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) 

His form may have dwindled since the turn of the year, but there is no denying the impact that Jamie Vardy has had on Leicester City’s season. The former England international has been the chief driving force behind the Foxes’ excellent campaign as they sit third in the league table.

Despite scoring just twice since January, Vardy leads the goalscoring charts for the season with 19 goals. The 33-year-old also has four assists to his name.

Read | Five contenders for PFA Player of the Year award

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Where would Arsenal be without their talismanic striker? Time and again, Aubameyang has come to the Gunners’ rescue when they found themselves in difficult positions, proving his worth to the side. Named the club captain midway through the season, the Gabonese international has scored 17 goals so far, with only Vardy outscoring him this season.

There may have been questions over his future at Arsenal, but there is no questioning his attitude and commitment and the way he has led the team from the front.

Related tags:

Mohamed Salah Ghaly - MidfielderJordan Brian Henderson - MidfielderKevin De Bruyne - MidfielderPierre-Emerick Aubameyang - ForwardVirgil Van Dijk - DefenderJamie Richard Vardy - ForwardAndrew Robertson - DefenderSadio Mane - ForwardTrent John Alexander-Arnold - DefenderHenderson Dean - Goalkeeper English Premier League

Five contenders for PFA Player of the Year award

Generally, this time of the year would have been the award season in the Premier League. However, the season, along with the other major sporting events across the world, has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There had been fears that the 2019-20 Premier League season would end prematurely, but it has now been confirmed that the campaign will be finished, with the June 1 deadline to end the season being pushed back indefinitely.

Footballing action remains suspended at least until the end of next month. But there is hope that the season will resume and with that in mind, let’s take a look at five players who are the top contenders to win this year’s Professional Footballers' Association Men's Players' Player of the Year - or the PFA Player of the Year award.

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

The only remaining squad member of the Liverpool side that came ever so close to winning the league title back in 2014, Jordan Henderson seems set to lead the Reds to their maiden Premier League triumph this term.

The Reds’ skipper isn’t always given due credit that he deserves. His contributions don’t always get recognized, but Henderson’s value and importance to this Liverpool side cannot be overstated. It is no surprise that Jurgen Klopp’s side faced problems over the last month after their captain was out on the treatment tables.

Read | Five centre-backs Manchester City should target in summer

Henderson has played 25 matches in the league this term, scoring three goals and setting up five more. A reliable presence when playing as a defensive midfielder, Henderson is also very much effective playing in a more advanced role, with his distribution and piercing forward runs. But, what makes him such an important cog in this side is his leadership.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 

Manchester City might have endured a disappointing campaign in comparison to the lofty standards they set for themselves, but Kevin De Bruyne has continued to shine bright for the reigning champions, proving exactly why he is considered as one of the best in the business.

De Bruyne’s influence on Guardiola’s team is huge. The Belgian international is the one who keeps the Citizens ticking, while also producing important goals on a regular basis. His importance was clearly visible in Manchester City’s toothless display in the Manchester derby recently, when De Bruyne was out with an injury.

It has been another splendid season for the Belgian midfielder, during the course of which he has made 26 appearances, bagging eight goals and assisting 16 more. At this rate, it seems just an inevitability that De Bruyne eclipses Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single season in the Premier League (20), once the season resumes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)  

Just his third full season with the Liverpool first-team, just 21 years old, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is already considered as one of the best right-backs in the game and has already drawn comparisons to the legends like Cafu.

Read | Five players who could move to the Premier League this summer

One wouldn’t be too wrong in saying that the England international is one of Liverpool’s most important creative outlets. His dangerous forays forward down the right-side, coupled with equally devastating crosses and his set-piece delivery make him such a critical part of Jurgen Klopp’s setup.

Having broken the record for most assists by a defender in a season last time out, Alexander-Arnold has already levelled that tally with 12 assists in 29 matches, while contributing with a couple of goals as well. Should the season resume, Liverpool will be crowned champions and the 21-year-old academy graduate will have played a huge role in that triumph.

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) 

A lot has changed at Leicester City since their surprise title triumph in 2015-16, but one thing that has remained constant is Jamie Vardy’s hunger for goals. The Englishman has continued to plunder goals for the Foxes and has been in brilliant form in the 2019-20 campaign.

Vardy has been one of the major driving forces behind Leicester’s push for a top-four finish. While his form has dipped somewhat since the turn of the year, the former England international is still ahead of the pack in the Golden Boot race, having found the back of the net on 19 occasions in 26 matches.

At 33 years of age, Vardy might not have a lot of years left in his career at the top level. And a strong finish to what has been a memorable campaign so far could very well see him bag the top honours.

Read | Why do defensive midfielders make great managers?

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Only two players in the history of the Premier League have managed to win the PFA Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons – Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo. And Virgil van Dijk is a strong contender to join that elite list this season.

The current holder of the award, van Dijk has once again been the cornerstone on which Liverpool’s special campaign has been built upon. The Netherlands international hasn’t missed a single league game for the Reds this season and has been integral in their run to the top. 

Liverpool have the best defensive record in the league this season (21 goals conceded) and have kept the most clean sheets as well (12). And van Dijk’s role in these achievements has been instrumental, to say the least. Commanding at the back and excellent with the ball, the 28-year-old has also chipped in with 4 goals, putting his name into the hat for this season’s top player awards.

Related tags:

Jordan Brian Henderson - MidfielderKevin De Bruyne - MidfielderTrent John Alexander-Arnold - DefenderJamie Richard Vardy - ForwardManchester CityVirgil Van Dijk - DefenderLeicester CityLiverpool English Premier League

Only one player has scored against van Dijk and Joe Gomez in 1246 minutes

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have dropped just two points this season, having won 25 of their 26 Premier League games. A majority of credit has rightly gone to the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, but the fact remains that their defensive personnel have been equally tight at the back.

Having conceded just one goal in their last 11 Premier League outings, the Reds have carried a brilliant defensive record up until now. But what’s more fascinating is the fact that the defensive pair of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez has shipped in solitary goal in the last 1246 minutes they have played together.

In the last 10 games, Liverpool have registered victories over Watford, Leicester City, Wolves (twice), Sheffield United, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, West Ham United, Southampton and Norwich, and only one player has able to breach the Red wall.

Liverpool visited the Molineux Stadium in late January to play Wolves, and it was striker Raul Jimenez, who became the only player to score against the partnership of van Dijk and Gomez in a whopping 1246 minutes. Despite the Mexican’s goal, the home team came out as the second-best as Liverpool somehow managed to find a winner late in the game.

Overall, the Reds have conceded just 15 goals in the league this season (fewest by any team) and if manage to maintain the consistency, it is said that they will be rewarded with a special golden Premier League trophy for their achievement, becoming only the second club to receive the honour.

The Reds need just 15 points from their remaining 12 games to be crowned as new champions of England, meaning that they only need three victories from this point on. Liverpool play West Ham (h), Watford (a), Bournemouth (h), Everton (a), Crystal Palace (h) in their next five matches.

The earlier they can win the title is at home to Bournemouth on March 7, but for that to happen, Manchester City need to drop six points over the period.

Read | Harry Maguire told his brother how he’d score against Chelsea

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis

Related tags:

Virgil Van Dijk - DefenderLiverpool English Premier League

Messi wins Ballon d’Or but Twitter still hasn’t settled the debate

Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi on Monday became the first footballer to win six Ballon d’Ors. The 32-year-old received the honour ahead of Liverpool’s talisman Virgil van Dijk, who stood second while Cristiano Ronaldo rounded off the podium.

There were arguments ahead of the event regarding who amongst Messi and van Dijk, who won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, is more worthy but having scored 51 goals in 50 appearances for Barcelona last season, Messi edged ahead.

"I hope to continue for a long time," Messi said in Paris.

"I realize that I am very lucky, even if, one day, retirement will come. It will be difficult. But I still have a lot of good years ahead of me. Time goes by very quickly, so I want to enjoy football and my family.

"A few years ago, I received my first Ballon d'Or here in Paris," Messi said. "I was 22 years old. It was something unthinkable at the time. Today is my sixth Ballon d'Or. As my wife used to say, you should never stop dreaming but always work to improve and continue to enjoy yourself."

Read | How is the winner of Ballon d’Or decided?

Those on Twitter, meanwhile, still haven’t processed as to how Messi deserved the award ahead of van Dijk, who was instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph last season. The Netherlands international led his team from the front and while the likes of Mohamed Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino grabbed most of the headlines, he did his job to mere perfection.

For the player himself though, he expressed nothing respect for his rivals.

"It was an amazing year, but there's a couple of players like that who are a bit unnatural," said Van Dijk of Messi and Ronaldo. "So you need to respect greatness as well. I was close, but there was just someone a little bit better."

The reaction on the internet, however, doesn’t seem to have settled the debate and this is how they are reacting to it:

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Franck Fife

Related tags:

BarcelonaVirgil Van Dijk - DefenderLiverpoolLionel Andres Messi Cuccittini - Forward Social Buzz

Not Messi, not van Dijk, Twitter wants Lewandowski to win Ballon d'Or

As the race for the coveted Ballon d’Or heats up, the likes of Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk sure have grabbed a majority of headlines, but a certain Robert Lewandowski has emerged as the ‘chosen-one’ for the fans on the back of his exceptional figures.

Let’s just get straight into the figures. Since the start of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season, the Polish striker has either scored or assisted in all but one of the 18 games he has played for Bayern Munich. As far the 2019 figures go, he has bagged 51 goals in 53 games. Talk about consistency!

On Wednesday, when his side hammered Red Star Belgrade 6-0 in the Champions League, the 31-year-old bagged four inside 14 minutes and became only the second player to have scored 4+ goals in a Champions League game on more than one occasion, along with Lionel Messi.

However impressive the stats may be, his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or are slim simply because Messi and van Dijk received plenty of publicity during the build-up, and the striker is well and truly aware of the fact.

"The question is whether this award is about being the best player or about playing in the most popular league. In my opinion, players from the Premier League and La Liga simply have an advantage in this regard,” he was quoted in a recent interview.

As things are right now, the race remains between the two, while last year’s winner, Cristiano Ronaldo is nowhere near close. Those on Twitter, however, seem to have made up their mind and simply want Lewandowski to lift the honour. This is how they are reacting:

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Andrej Isakovic

Related tags:

LiverpoolBayern MunichBarcelonaLionel Andres Messi Cuccittini - ForwardRobert Lewandowski - ForwardVirgil Van Dijk - Defender

Liverpool have nothing to lose in title race, says Van Dijk

Liverpool have nothing to lose in the Premier League title race despite amassing an eight-point lead after just eight games, according to defender Virgil van Dijk.

The European champions are in pole position to end a 30-year wait to win a league title, but Van Dijk believes the pressure is still on Manchester City to win the league for a third straight year.

"I don’t think we have anything to lose," Van Dijk told Sky Sports ahead of Sunday's trip to Manchester United.

"Man City are the champions, they’re defending their title and we want to get it. In my point of view, we just have to go for it.

"We definitely need to enjoy it and be full of confidence, especially with the way we’ve got these points, having not had the best games but still getting the wins."

City's shock defeats to Norwich and Wolves have allowed Liverpool to surge ahead thanks to their perfect start to the season.

However, Van Dijk remains wary of Pep Guardiola's men, who overturned a seven-point deficit to pip Liverpool to the title by a point last season.

"There are so many games left, you can’t really think about it (winning the title) -- it's not realistic," added the Dutch captain.

"I don’t watch Man City's games but I have family and friends who text me or say something, especially after the Wolves game.

"That's just part of life but we've learnt from last year that we don’t have to look to the others until the end of the campaign. So far, we have been doing well but Man City are definitely not going away."

Featured image courtesy: AFP/ Paul Ellis

Related tags:

LiverpoolVirgil Van Dijk - Defender English Premier League

Five top picks for Ballon d’Or 2018-19

After the UEFA already bestowed their Player of the Year award to Virgil van Dijk, it’s just a matter of time till we get our Ballon d’Or winner for the 2018-19 season. However, this time around, there are more players with a shot to win the trophy than the two usual suspects — Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Both have dominated this award over the past 10 years and have five apiece to each of their names.

Here then, are the top five contenders to lift the Golden Ball this year:

5. Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling was the key attacking player for Manchester City in their 2018-19 Premier League title-winning campaign. In his 34 appearances, he scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists, helping City remain on top of the table above Liverpool, who were just few points behind the leaders. His ability to cut through the wings and find shooting spaces at lightning-quick speed on the flank makes him a fearsome player. He also has five goals and two assists in the Champions League.

For his national side England, Sterling scored two goals in five matches and helped them reach the semi-finals, where they lost to Netherlands. His consistent performance for club and country makes him a legitimate contender for the honour.

4. Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva won in Premier League with Manchester City and in UEFA Nations League with Portugal, playing a pivotal role in both teams’ midfield by scaring opposition defenders with his solo runs. Silva was everywhere, covering all parts of ground, making crucial passes and pulling key interceptions. Apart from being an attacking midfielder, Silva’s defensive display gave an extra edge to Pep Guardiola’s team in crucial Premier League games.

He did the same for Portugal to complement Cristiano Ronaldo, who was leading their attack.

3. Lionel Messi

With his direct competitor Cristiano Ronaldo moving to Italy this season, Lionel Messi had a free run at La Liga, which led him to scoring 36 goals in the La Liga. Messi won the league title with Barcelona once again and was looking confident to take his team through to the Champions League before Liverpool’s comeback knocked them out. They were also knocked out of the Copa Del Rey, and if that wasn’t enough, Argentina lost in the Copa America as well.

But Messi’s performance was not below his standards this season as he was top scorer in Europe with 15 goals and 21 assists to his name.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has always had an eye for new challenges, so he moved to Italy this season, leaving a well-set Real Madrid side with which he won Champions League the previous season. Moving to Italy was not a bad move for him as he won his maiden Serie A title, scoring and assisting for his team through the season.

In addition to that, he also won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal, which ranks him higher than Messi this season. He was included in UEFA’s Team of the Year but missed out to Virgil van Dijk on UEFA’s Player of the Year award.

1. Virgil Van Dijk

It’s been over a decade since a defender last won the Ballon d’Or, when in 2006, Fabio Cannavaro came out on top after winning in Serie A with Juventus and in the FIFA World Cup with Italy. Van Dijk’s season has been a dream come true for any defender as nobody was able to dribble past the giant Dutchman. He helped his side maintain clean sheets in 21 out of 38 Premier League games. He even helped Liverpool win the Champions League despite finishing second in EPL, and his run with Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League final was also remarkable.

The 28-year-old has already won the UEFA Player of the Season award last month and is now the strongest contender to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or for the first time.

Feature Image Courtesy: Jonathan NACKSTRAND, Fabrice COFFRINI, John THYS

Related tags:

Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini - ForwardVirgil Van Dijk - DefenderRaheem Shaquille Sterling - ForwardCristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro - Forward English Premier LeagueSerie ALa Liga

Virgil Van Dijk grabs UEFA Men’s Player of the Year trophy

Liverpool’s marquee defender Virgil Van Dijk was revealed as the winner of the prestigious ‘UEFA Men’s Player of the Year’ trophy in Monaco during the UEFA Champion’s League group stage draw. The 28-year-old centre-back beat a host of top players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, three and two-time winners of the award, respectively.

The Dutch captain also helped Liverpool become European champions last season after a narrow loss to Real Madrid in the finals of the 2017-18 season. The tall, lanky defender has the most clean sheets among all the top European leagues in 2019-19.

His contributions for his national side were important as well after he led Netherlands to the finals of the inaugural UEFA Nations League. The Flying Dutchmen may have ultimately lost to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, but his performances through the domestic as well as European season were enough to trump the usual winning duo of Ronaldo and Messi.

Van Dijk also beat fellow Liverpool teammates Alisson Becker, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to the coveted trophy, with the trio finishing fourth, fifth and sixth in the top 10, respectively. Although the ‘Egyptian King’ Mohamed Salah scored a crucial goal in the finals at Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, it was Van Dijk’s solid presence at the back that kept Tottenham’s attack at bay to preserve a 2-0 lead, for which he was adjudged Man of the Match.

The jury comprised of the 80 club coaches that participated in the group stages of the recently concluded European season, along with 55 journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group — one from each of UEFA's member associations. Jury members picked their top three players, with the first receiving five points, the second, three, and the third, one.

Coaches were not allowed to vote for players from their own team. Virgil Van Dijk scored 305 points — a massive 98 points more than second-placed Lionel Messi, and 231 points above Cristiano Ronaldo. The iconic duo scored 207 and 74 points, respectively.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Valery Hache

Related tags:

LiverpoolVirgil Van Dijk - Defender UEFA Champions League