Van Dijk Votes Sterling As Player Of The Season

Apr 9, 2019 1279

By Max Wise

Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk has voted Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling as his Professional Footballers Association (PFA) player of the season with the winner set to be announced at an awards ceremony on April 28.

Sterling has been one of the stand-out players of the season so far as Manchester City continue their bid to win an unprecedented quadruple this campaign.

Sterling, 24, has scored 15 league goals in 28 appearances for the champions in a season where he has been subjected to racist abuse at both club and international level.

Van Dijk himself is in the running to win the season's biggest individual accolade, having brought a sense of calm and composure to a Liverpool defence that previously lacked a real leader at the back.

Van Dijk's selection of Sterling stems from the fact that players cannot vote for their teammates.

"I did what I thought and I thought he deserved it," said Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018.

"He's had a fantastic season. I could have voted for Bernardo Silva as well, and another couple of players from City.

"But I am just being honest. I think he has improved a lot as a player. We will see if he wins it."

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah won the award last year after he beat stiff competition from Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne to emerge victorious, but Van Dijk, Sterling, Aguero, Harry Kane, and Eden Hazard are the favourites this time around.

Liverpool lead Manchester City by two points, having played a game more, but Van Dijk remains optimistic of the Reds winning a first league title since 1990.

"I think all of the teams in the league would love to be in our position right now. We are in a great situation," added Dutch international Van Dijk.”

"It could have been better but it is how it is. We still have a chance to win the title and a chance to win the Champions League.”

"It can become a fear when you read all the media and social media. In this situation, you need to be very strong mentally."