Ranking the top five favorites for the Ballon d'Or - October 2019

#2 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool/Netherlands)

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 - Show

Virgil van Dijk's impact on Liverpool has been immense and nowhere was this more evident than last season where the towering Dutchman was an integral part of a Liverpool defence that conceded just 22 goals in 38 matches.

The Dutch international had very remarkable numbers last season at the heart of The Reds' defence, finishing as the player with the second-most passes (3,037) behind only Jorginho, while he also attempted 38 tackles with a 74% success rate.

He won 244 of the 322 duels he competed, while also making 199 clearances and also showed his usefulness in the attacking third with four goals and two assists to help Liverpool to a second-place finish in the league.

He was deservedly named the PFA Player of the Year, while he also captained the Netherlands to the Nations League final and helped Jurgen Klopp's men to the Champions League trophy last season.

For his displays last season, the 28-year-old was voted as the best defender of the Champions League and also became the first defender to be named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year.

This season, Liverpool's defence has been less solid, but van Dijk has still starred with one goal from seven fixtures in the league, while he has also made 10 interceptions, 34 clearances, 38 recoveries and won 48 duels.

He was the favourite to clinch the FIFA Men's Player of the Year award but was thumped to it by Lionel Messi. Nevertheless, van Dijk would get back to playing an integral role as Liverpool continue their quest for an elusive Premier League title.