Van Dijk wins PFA Player of the Year after brilliant season at Liverpool

VIRGIL VAN DIJK has been crowned the PFA Player of the Year.

Liverpool’s commanding centre-back took all the plaudits at Sunday night’s swanky ceremony in London, beating Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling to the award.

Van Dijk has enjoyed a stellar season at Anfield, leading his side in the Premier League title battle with Sterling’s City.

The Dutch defender said: "I think it’s special, definitely. If you see the standard of strikers we have in the league or playmakers we have in the league, it’s unbelievable.

“If you see the shortlist and quality there is, it’s very special that the players in the league voted for me. I won’t take it for granted. It’s just very special.

“I think throughout the whole season I’ve been feeling great. We’ve been winning many games, we are competing with Man City for the title and I think the most important thing is to stay fit and play consistent as well - I think I’ve been doing that pretty well this season."

Van Dijk added: “Obviously without the help of my team-mates, it wouldn’t be possible but we have just to keep going, carry on and I’m feeling good."

The Dutch ace has played in 34 league games this term, scoring three goals in the process.

And he has now bagged the most coveted individual trophy in English football just 18 months after joining Liverpool from Southampton for £75million.

Van Dijk, 27, saw off competition from Man City trio Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero.

While Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard were also left trailing in his wake.

However, Mane was named in the PFA Team of the Year, as were Aguero, Sterling and Silva.

Man City’s Fernandinho, Ederson and Aymeric Laporte made the cut.

While Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were joined by Man United’s Paul Pogba.

Van Dijk will now be hoping to crown his season with the title, although Liverpool trail City by one point with just two games to go.