'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool have developed tremendously under Jurgen Klopp in recent years. He's effectively rebuilt the entire squad and transformed it into what it is today: a footballing juggernaut.
Currently two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table, the race for the title is in full swing. There are five games left for Liverpool and six for Manchester City, who still have a game in hand. The differences between the two sides are marginal, too, which makes it all the more difficult to predict who will win the big prize.
In this list, we're going to go over five of the most integral players in the Liverpool squad to determine which candidates are most likely to win the Player of the Year award for the Reds. So, without any further ado, let's take a look.
#5 Georginio Wijnaldum
Georginio Wijnaldum isn't often noticed in games, despite being one of the most pivotal players out on the pitch. He pulls the strings from the heart of the midfield and is often the key to starting counter-attacking moves, which the Reds have capitalised on many times this season.
The Dutchman has featured in 30 out of 33 matches for Liverpool, which just goes to show how important he is to the side. Klopp clearly sees him as the root to their success, and almost as important as the likes of Salah, Sane, and Firmino up front; as, without him, there would be nobody to kick-start the momentum that they latch onto.
Wijnaldum can also be utilised as an attacking midfielder when necessary, which is how he's picked up his two goals for the season. He is 28 years old now which is when a player enters their prime - this makes sense given just how excellent Wijnaldum has been for Liverpool of late.
#4 Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane possesses so much speed that he is simply too much to handle for most defenders in the Premier League. He skips past them with ease and in seconds, he's through on goal. Mane is primarily a left winger, but has been utilised on the right, as well as up front in the centre-forward role - and he has flourished in all of them.
Mane is in with a real chance of the securing the Golden Boot this season, as he currently has 17 goals to his name, which is a mere two behind leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero on 19. Given just how much of a threat he has been in recent games, I can personally see him surpassing Aguero very soon.
In all aspects of his game, Mane excels. He has been important for the Reds in the Champions League, too, scoring three goals and providing two assists from eight matches. Sometimes players of his ability have a tendency to go missing in big matches, but not Mane - if anything, he thrives.
#3 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah was unbelievably good last season, and his string of sublime performances for the Reds resulted in him breaking the record for the most goals scored in a single 38-game season in the Premier League. He bagged 32 goals, surpassing the record held by both Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo with 31.
He hasn't been quite as brilliant this season but is still undoubtedly one of the best in the division. Even with the several goal droughts he's encountered this season, Salah has still managed to score a whopping 18 goals whilst setting up eight assists for his teammates.
Salah is a key part of the formidable attacking trio that also features Mane and Firmino, and is the main reason behind why Liverpool have had so much success recently. He has also featured in all 33 games for the Reds this season.
Yet, even with all of his contributions to the side, he can still only be in the third slot. The difference between all of these players is marginal, but these next two edge him for a reason.
#2 Andrew Robertson
Andrew Robertson has been a crucial part of what has made Liverpool so strong at the back. He covers so much ground on the left flank that he's almost playing as a left winger, too. Once he's driven the ball towards the by-line, he will whip in a ball to a teammate, who, more often than not, will score.
Robertson has nine assists for the Reds and has played in 31 out of 33 games this season. His importance in the squad isn't just acknowledged at Anfield, but also for the Scotland national team, which he now captains.
The left-back has been one of the best buys for the Reds in recent seasons, as they only paid £8m for him when they signed him from Hull City in the summer of 2017. He now has a market value of £50m, which is a testament to how well Liverpool have managed and developed him since then.
With him only being 25 years old, Robertson has a lot of time to perfect his craft, so don't be surprised if he turns out to be the best left-back in the world in the next few years.
#1 Virgil Van Dijk
No player has been as crucial to Liverpool's success this season as Virgil Van Dijk. He has been their hub at the heart of the defence all season long and shows no signs of slowing down.
Van Dijk has played in every single game for the Reds this season, and he started them all, too. The Dutchman has kept a staggering 16 clean sheets so far and has cemented himself as one of the best, if not the best defenders in the league.
Liverpool got a lot of flack when they splashed out £75m for him in January 2018, but it seems to be money well-spent. Moreover, the 27-year-old now has a market value that exceeds £100m, so they were wise to get him when they did, as that price tag is only going to rise if he keeps up his current form.
As well as holding down the fort from the back, Van Dijk is also heavily utilised in corners and set-piece scenarios where his height and heading ability is a major advantage. He's scored three goals so far and notched up a single assist, too.
Given just how incredible Van Dijk has been for Liverpool, there's no way he couldn't have come first in this list, and it'll be a shock if he isn't selected as the Player of the Year.
