Liverpool colossus Virgil van Dijk has beaten Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling in the battle to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, it has been reported in England.
The Dutch international has had an immense season for the Reds, who are still involved in an intense Premier League title race with City, and his performances have led to him winning the backing of his fellow professionals in choosing the award, according to the Daily Mail.
Van Dijk was shortlisted alongside Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane and Sterling's fellow City players Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva, with Chelsea's Eden Hazard completing the six-man list.
The 27-year-old former Southampton and Celtic player will become the first defender to receive the award since Chelsea stopper John Terry did so at the end of the 2004/05.
Van Dijk's added goals to his game
The Merseysiders' success this season has been largely attributed to van Dijk who moved to Anfield from St Mary's for an eye-watering £75 million back in January 2018.
His influence in the back four has seen Liverpool concede just 20 goals in 35 Premier League matches so far this season while losing just one game.
Van Dijk has made a total of 44 appearances this season and has added goals to his game, scoring three in the Premier League and two in the Champions League.
Sterling is the favourite to claim the Young Player of the Year award ahead of Silva, Marcus Rashford, Trent Alexander-Arnold, David Brooks and former Republic of Ireland international Declan Rice.
The official awards ceremony takes place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Sunday, April 28.
Meanwhile, the PFA have also announced the English Championship team of the year which includes Irish international goalkeeper Darrren Randolph (Middlesbrough).
Fellow Ireland internationals Aiden McGeady (Sunderland) and James Collins (Luton Town) were named on the League One team of the year.
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