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The 2019-20 Premier League season drew to a dramatic climax, as the most unprecedented campaign in the modern era finally concluded after over 11 months. Footballing activity was suspended in Europe due to the coronavirus pandemic, as top-flight came to a half for three and a half months.
Since the resumption of the Premier League last month, there has been plenty of drama and controversy. Liverpool were finally crowned champions of England for the first time in over 30 years, while the race for the top four spots and the battle to avoid relegation was decided on the final day of the season.
Eventually, Chelsea and Manchester United joined the Reds and Manchester City in the top four after recording victories on matchday 38. Norwich City dropped to the Championship after a solitary season in the top-flight and they were joined by Bournemouth and Watford this week.
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Liverpool's coronation was the highlight of the season, as Jurgen Klopp's side dominated the Premier League from start to finish and broke numerous long-standing records on their way to a historic triumph.
Unsurprisingly, most of the standout performers in the Premier League this season belong to the Merseyside outfit, as they finished the season with a staggering 99 points from 38 games.
As the longest season in Premier League history concluded with its fair share of drama, here are the ten best players ranked based on their performances this season.
#10 Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United
January signing Bruno Fernandes galvanized a lacklustre Manchester United since his arrival and rescued their faltering league season. The Red Devils were languishing outside the top-four prior to his arrival and had virtually thrown in the towel in their pursuit of a Champions League spot.
The Portuguese midfielder breathed new life into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team and spearheaded them to a third-place finish, as he took the Premier League by storm with his energy and industry from the centre of the park.
Fernandes made 14 Premier League appearances for Manchester United since making his debut in February and remains unbeaten in the competition. In his short time in England, the 25-year-old recorded eight goals and also picked up back to back Premier League Player of the Month awards.
The former Sporting midfielder has been one of the best January signings in recent history and looks set to play a key role in shaping Manchester United's future.
#9 Danny Ings | Southampton
Danny Ings finally overcame his hellish spell with injuries and enjoyed a stunning season with Southampton in the Premier League. The England international spearheaded Ralph Hasenhuttl's side to an 11th place finish and enjoyed his most productive season in the top-flight with 22 league goals to his name.
Known for his tireless work rate and finishing ability in and around the penalty area, Ings produced the goods consistently for the Saints and put himself in the reckoning for a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad.
The 28-year-old thrived in a high-pressing counter-attacking system and flourished as the focal point of a well-drilled Southampton side. Ings' performances warrant a spot on the list, as he finally put aside his injury struggles and scored more than 20 goals for the Saints.
Also check out: the Premier League Winners by season
#8 Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting footballers in world football. The young Scouser is Liverpool's main creative outlet and was amongst the best providers in the Premier League once again.
Having recorded 12 assists last season and set the Premier League record for most assists by a defender in a single league campaign, Alexander-Arnold went one better and notched up 13 this time around.
Additionally, the 21-year-old also scored four goals, including strikes home and away against Chelsea and continues to make a name for himself as the best right-back in the world.
Alexander-Arnold is one of Jurgen Klopp's finest player projects and the Scouser enjoyed another stunning Premier League season, as he got his hands on the title he craved for as a young boy.
#7 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Arsenal
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of the few bright sparks in another dismal league campaign for Arsenal. The Gabonese international enjoyed a successful season on a personal level, as he scored 22 goals in the Premier League.
However, his goals didn't translate into trophies or a respectable position on the league standings, as Arsenal finished eighth in the Premier League behind the likes of Leicester City and Wolves.
Aubameyang won the Golden Boot last season but fell one shy of Jamie Vardy's 23 goal haul this time around. The Arsenal captain is one of the most potent strikers in the Premier League currently and led the line to devastating effect for Mikel Arteta.
The 31-year-old is yet to sign a contract extension with the club but the Gunners are reportedly confident that he will do so in the coming weeks.
#6 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool
Mohamed Salah's Liverpool career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Having secured back to back Premier League Golden Boots in his first two seasons in England, the Egyptian maestro missed out on the award this time around despite recording 19 league goals.
However, Salah played a pivotal role for the Reds as they got their hands on the Premier League trophy in record-breaking fashion. The 28-year-old also notched up ten assists and enjoyed another productive campaign in the top-flight, as he continues to cement his status as one of the best attackers in the game.
Salah featured 34 times in the Premier League for Klopp's side and combined exceptionally well with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. The trio wrote their names into Liverpool's history books for their exploits in recent seasons and look set to oversee the most successful era in the club's recent history.
#5 Jamie Vardy | Leicester City
Jamie Vardy rolled back the years and enjoyed a stunning goalscoring season for Leicester City, as he spearheaded his side to a fifth-place finish. The Englishman got his hands on the Premier League Golden Boot for the first time in his career for his tally of 23 league goals.
In doing so, Vardy became the oldest player in the league's history to win the award, beating Didier Drogba's record. At the age of 33, the Leicester No.9 has shown no signs of slowing down and led the line impeccably for his side.
However, the Foxes fell desperately short of a Champions League berth on the final day of the season and were pipped to the top-four by Manchester United and Chelsea.
Vardy has aged like fine wine and cemented his status as a Premier League great for his exploits over the years. The former England international was one of the best players in the division this season and beat the likes of Aubameyang, Salah and Mane to the Golden Boot.
Also Read: 10 Premier League players who have exceeded expectations this season (2019-20)
#4 Sadio Mane | Liverpool
Liverpool hitman Sadio Mane enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career, as he played an important role in Liverpool's title triumph. So often the man for the big occasions, Mane notched up 18 goals and nine assists for the Merseyside club and is in the running for the PFA Player of the Year award.
Having shared the Golden Boot with Aubameyang and Salah last season, the Senegalese star fell just short of the 20 goal mark this time around. However, his importance to the side cannot be overstated, as he produced several significant moments in Liverpool's dominant league season.
Mane's devastating pace and trickery on the ball coupled with his keen eye for goal makes him one of the deadliest attackers in world football.
The 28-year-old is an indispensable member of Klopp's attacking armoury and has written his name into Liverpool folklore for his exploits in recent seasons.
#3 Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool
Widely regarded as the best defender in world football, Virgil van Dijk became only the fifth player in Premier League history to play each minute in a title-winning season.
The Dutchman was imperious at the back for Liverpool and enhanced his reputation further with another stellar league season for the Reds. Having finished second in the 2019 Ballon d'Or behind Lionel Messi, Van Dijk went from strength to strength and dominated the league campaign with his defensive excellence.
Last season, he became the first defender since John Terry in 2005 to win the PFA Player of the Year award, thereby cementing his status as one of the best players in the world.
Van Dijk was also a force to be reckoned with in the opposition half, as he scored crucial goals against Brighton and Manchester United amongst others.
The Dutchman is one of the most dominant defenders in recent Premier League history and has already established himself as a Liverpool great in his short career with the Merseyside club.
#2 Jordan Henderson | Liverpool
After years of having his ability as a player and a captain questioned, Jordan Henderson finally came of age and enjoyed his best-ever league campaign till date. In what was one of the stories of the season, the Liverpool captain was named FWA Player of the Year, as the Reds ended their 30 year wait for the league title.
With his tireless running, passing range and industry from the centre of the park, Henderson was an indispensable member of Klopp's title-winning machine and led from the front for his side.
The Englishman's influence extends far beyond the pitch, as he played a pivotal role to help the NHS staff amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Henderson was the trailblazer of the wonderful #PlayersTogether campaign which saw several Premier League stars come together in solidarity to combat COVID-19.
The 30-year-old's crowning moment arrived earlier this month when he hoisted the red-ribboned Premier League trophy over his head in sheer jubilation.
#1 Kevin de Bruyne | Manchester City
Despite Liverpool's dominance in the Premier League, Kevin de Bruyne was by far the standout player in the 2019-20 campaign and cemented his status as the best attacking midfielder in world football.
The Belgian maestro's unique ability to score goals as well as create them makes him a serial matchwinner, as he displayed his outrageous ability in some style for the Cityzens.
De Bruyne's equalled Theirry Henry's assists record of 20 in a single season and topped it off with a staggering 13 goals from central midfield. The 29-year-old's long-range shooting was also on display numerous times, as he added to his growing collection of stunning goals in the Premier League.
The Manchester City midfielder is the frontrunner for the PFA Player of the Year award and enjoyed one of the greatest seasons by a midfielder in the Premier League era.
Also check out: the EPL top scorers by season
