Van Dijk beats Sterling to PFA Player of the Year crown after stunning season at Liverpool

VIRGIL VAN DIJK has pipped Raheem Sterling to be crowned PFA Player of the Year following his heroics for Liverpool this season.

The announcement will be made on Thursday, but the 27-year-old has secured enough votes from his peers in the Premier League to claim the prize.

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Van Dijk has featured in all 35 top-flight games for the Reds this season, with Jurgen Klopp's table-toppers boasting the best defence in the division.

Liverpool have only conceded 20 goals so far, with Van Dijk proving to be a colossus at the back, while also chipping in with five goals and four assists in all competitions.

The Dutch international was on a six-man shortlist for the award along with team-mate Sadio Mane, Manchester City trio Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva and Chelsea ace Eden Hazard.

Sterling - who has netted 23 goals and chalked up with 16 assists in 46 matches this term - had been one of the favourites to land the gong.

Former Liverpool star Graeme Souness backed the England international to win the award following his two-goal display against Crystal Palace earlier this month.

However, Manchester United legend Gary Neville declared that Van Dijk is a deserving winner, claiming "nobody has even got close to him".

Van Dijk himself recently revealed that he had voted for Sterling as his Player of the Year.

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But the award will be handed to the ex-Southampton maestro on Thursday at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

His success means that Liverpool have retained the individual prize, with Mohamed Salah scooping the prize last season.

Other Kop greats that have won the honour include Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Terry McDermott and John Barnes.

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