Van Dijk succeeded Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah in winning the award, voted for by his fellow players and saw off competition from Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling. But Sterling, 24, was named the Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year, following on from City colleague Leroy Sane. Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton for £75 million ($97 million, 87 million euros) in January 2018. The 27-year-old Dutchman has been an ever-present for Liverpool in their bid to dethrone City as Premier League champions this season, with Sterling's side one point clear of the Reds at the top of the table with just two games left to play. Van Dijk has starred in a hugely improved Liverpool defence that has kept 20 clean sheets and conceded a mere 20 goals in the current campaign. - 'Unbelievable' - "It's pretty difficult to put into words," said Van Dijk, the first defender to win the award since Chelsea's John Terry 14 years ago. "I … [Read more...] about Liverpool’s Van Dijk wins PFA player of year award
Liverpool
Liverpool’s flying full-backs ready for Barca test
Neither Trent Alexander-Arnold nor Andrew Robertson have Lionel Messi's star power, but the buccaneering Liverpool defenders could play just as vital a role as the Barcelona captain in their mouth-watering Champions League semi-final. Virgil van Dijk has hogged the spotlight among Liverpool's defenders with a superb campaign that earned the Dutch centre-back the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award. Ahead of Wednesday's first leg against Messi's Barca, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold have emerged as essential contributors to Liverpool's bid for Champions League glory. With 24 assists between them in all competitions, England right-back Alexander-Arnold and Scotland left-back Robertson are pivotal figures in Jurgen Klopp's game-plan. Robertson's 11 assists have equalled the Premier League record for a defender and Alexander-Arnold is not far behind, with nine, making Liverpool's full-backs are as much wingers as defenders. It has become the most demanding, … [Read more...] about Liverpool’s flying full-backs ready for Barca test
Barcelona hurdle for Liverpool; Spurs regroup for Ajax
BARCELONA will be aiming to keep the Champions League in Spanish hands when they take on last year’s losing finalists Liverpool in the first of their semifinal showdowns. The winner over the two legs will undoubtedly be regarded as title favourites for the June 1 final in Madrid, but no one can now overlook Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax after their achievements in putting out some big hitters. Liverpool’s never-ending pressure cooker continues as they shift focus from the Premier League title for the visit to Barcelona on Thursday (3am Malaysian time). Liverpool are in fine form, with 10 straight wins and 19 games unbeaten in all competitions, and should be confident ahead of a stern test at the Nou Camp. Manager Jurgen Klopp does have one major injury worry in striker Roberto Firmino, who sat out Friday’s 5-0 Premier League win over Huddersfield with a slight muscle tear suffered in training. “Apart from the word ‘tear’ everything else is … [Read more...] about Barcelona hurdle for Liverpool; Spurs regroup for Ajax
Barcelona turn attention to Liverpool after securing La Liga title
After sealing their eighth La Liga title in 11 years, Barcelona are shifting their sights to a third Champions League crown in nine seasons. The Catalan side secured their 26th domestic league title with a 1-0 win over Levante yesterday morning (Singapore time), thanks to Lionel Messi who came off the bench to score in the 62nd minute. In the process, Barca have closed in on Real Madrid's record tally of 33. But Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic is hoping that the players don't let their title victory get to their heads. "The players and the fans should enjoy this night without going over the top," he said. "When we wake up tomorrow, we have to prepare for what comes next, we have to think about Liverpool, who have an incredible team and a brilliant coach." The Croat was referring to the Champions League semi-final, first leg with Liverpool at the Nou Camp on Thursday morning. With an eye on the match, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde started with Messi on the bench, along with Sergio … [Read more...] about Barcelona turn attention to Liverpool after securing La Liga title
Liverpool’s Van Dijk wins England’s PFA Player of the Year award
Sport Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk was named Player of the Year by England's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) on Sunday, becoming the fourth player from the Netherlands to win the award. 29 Apr 2019 05:50AM Bookmark REUTERS: Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk was named Player of the Year by England's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) on Sunday, becoming the fourth player from the Netherlands to win the award.The 27-year-old has transformed Liverpool's defence since joining the club from Southampton in January last year and has helped the title-chasing Merseysiders keep 19 clean sheets in the Premier League this season.He topped a six-man shortlist, voted for by PFA members from the 92 Premier and Football League clubs, beating Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva as well as team mate Sadio Mane and Chelsea forward Eden Hazard.Dutch international Van Dijk is the second Liverpool player in a row to win the award … [Read more...] about Liverpool’s Van Dijk wins England’s PFA Player of the Year award