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The 2019-20 Premier League season is sure to go down in history as the most unforgettable campaign in the modern era. The coronavirus pandemic led to the disruption of the world's most-watched league for nearly four months, as football resumed in June behind closed doors.
Weeks after the conclusion of the season, the nominees for the PFA Player of the Year award have finally been announced. Widely regarded as the most prized individual accolade in English football, the winner is set to be announced later today, with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk the current holder of the award.
The Dutchman has been nominated once again and is looking to become the first player since Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award in successive seasons. Van Dijk has been joined by Liverpool teammates Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Manchester City stars Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling complete the list of nominees.
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Alexander-Arnold, who is widely regarded as one of the most exciting players in world football, has also been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Season award.
As we edge closer to finding out the winner of the prize for the 2019-20 season, here are the nominees ranked in the increasing order of their likelihood of winning the award.
#6 Raheem Sterling | Manchester City
Raheem Sterling's nomination came as a bit of a surprise, as he went three months without a goal and only began scoring freely post lockdown. Nevertheless, the Englishman enjoyed another productive season for Manchester City and notched up outstanding numbers as a wide player.
Pep Guardiola and co surrendered the league title to Liverpool, but Sterling is one of few players who can leave with his head held high. The mercurial Englishman recorded 20 goals and a solitary assist in 30 Premier League games, as Manchester City finished second in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old has improved leaps and bounds under the tutelage of Guardiola, but the fact of the matter remains that there are more deserving candidates for the award this year.
#5 Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold has quickly established himself as one of the biggest matchwinners in world football, with the young Scouser enjoying yet another stunning season with the Reds.
A vital cog of Jurgen Klopp's star-studded team, the Englishman was the creative hub of a Liverpool side that dominated the 2019-20 Premier League season from start to finish.
Alexander-Arnold is one of the best crossers of the ball and is an expert when it comes to set pieces, having drawn comparisons with compatriot David Beckham for his style of play. The 21-year-old turned out 35 times in the Premier League for Liverpool and finished the season with a stunning tally of four goals and 13 assists, as the Reds were crowned Champions of England for the first time in over 30 years.
Also Read: Top 10 teams with most goals in the 2019-20 season
#4 Sadio Mane | Liverpool
In what was Liverpool's most memorable season in the Premier League era, Sadio Mane was at the top of his game and led Liverpool's attacking armoury to devastating effect. Alongside Mohamed Salah, the Senegalese star scored goals aplenty and blew teams away with his electric pace and trickery.
Mane shared the 2018-19 Premier League Golden Boot with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Salah, having played a pivotal role in Liverpool's second-place finish that season.
In the year that followed, the former Southampton man scored several important goals in Liverpool's title triumph and developed a knack of popping up in key moments for the Reds. Mane scored an impressive 18 goals in 35 appearances and cemented his status as one of the most lethal attackers in the country with another productive season for the Merseyside outfit.
#3 Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk is the current holder of the PFA Player of the Year award and is in with the shout of retaining the prized accolade. Widely regarded as the best defender in world football, Van Dijk became only the fourth player after Gary Pallister, John Terry, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Wes Morgan to play every minute in a title-winning season in the Premier League era.
The Dutchman has transformed the Liverpool backline and made a name for himself as a serial matchwinner in doing so, having made notable contributions for the Reds on both ends of the pitch.
In 2019, Van Dijk became the first defender since John Terry in 2005 to win the award. A year later, the fact that the 29-year-old placed second in the Ballon d'Or and is in with a shout of retaining the prize is the most startling example yet of his importance to Liverpool.
#2 Jordan Henderson | Liverpool
Much has been said about Jordan Henderson over the past few years, with fans and pundits across the world questioning his ability as a player and a captain. However, the Englishman came of age under Jurgen Klopp and delivered a string of outstanding performances for Liverpool, as he became the club's first Premier League-winning captain.
An energetic presence in midfield with a keen eye for a pass, Henderson's tenacity and doggedness rubbed off on the rest of his teammates, while his crossing ability in particular has also been lauded. The 30-year-old enjoyed his best season ever for the Reds and cemented his status as a Liverpool legend, as he proudly hoisted the red-ribboned trophy over his shoulders earlier this year.
Henderson was also named FWA Player of the Year for his exemplary performances for the Reds and delivered the goods for Klopp when it mattered the most. The former Sunderland man is at the peak of his powers and is a vital cog of this star-studded Liverpool side.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City
In what was an underwhelming league season for Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne was at the top of his game and produced the goods consistently for Pep Guardiola.
Hailed as the best attacking midfielder in world football, the Belgian maestro is blessed with the unique ability to score goals as well as create them and has been lauded for his contributions on both ends of the pitch.
De Bruyne equalled Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists in a single league season, while he also notched up a stunning tally of 13 goals in 35 appearances. Manchester City players have often been overlooked for personal accolades in the Premier League era, but there is a growing belief that the 29-year-old will get his hands on the PFA Player of the Year award this time around.
In 2018, De Bruyne was unlucky not to have won the award, as Liverpool's Mohamed Salah was acknowledged for his record-breaking season with the Reds. The Cityzens may have surrendered their Premier League crown without putting up much of a fight, but De Bruyne was at the top of his game and performed consistently for his side, making him the top favourite to win the award.
Also Read: Top 10 players with most trophies in the 21st century
