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As we enter the business end of the Premier League season, Liverpool are runaway leaders as they've opened up a stunning 22 point lead over defending champions Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp's side look like champions-elect at this stage of the season and will be crowned champions of England in May, barring one of the greatest sporting collapses in history and have dominated proceedings right from the get-go.
Aside from pace setters, the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have had underwhelming league campaigns thus far and are in serious danger of dropping out of the top 4. In stark contrast, Leicester City, alongside Sheffield United and Wolves, have been a breath of fresh air this season and have dazzled the top flight with an eye-catching brand of football whilst also racking up the points to put them in contention for a place in Europe next season.
6 managers have faced the boot over the course of the season, with the likes of Spurs, Arsenal and Everton deciding to make a change in the hot seat amongst others. Watford boss Nigel Pearson is incidentally the club's 3rd permanent manager of the season, after Javi Gracia was sacked in favour of Quique Sanchez Flores, who was also relieved off his duties after a series of underwhelming results.
While Liverpool have dominated the league season thus far, winning all but one of their games which represents the greatest start to a league season in the history of Europe's top five leagues and the Premier League Team of the Season is set to comprise of several players from the runaway leaders.
On that note, here's the team of the season so far.
Goalkeeper - Dean Henderson
After Dean Henderson impressed at Bramall Lane in the Championship last season, the Englishman has transitioned seamlessly into top-flight football and produced a string of top drawer performances for Sheffield United, as they currently 6th position on the Premier League table.
The 22-year-old Manchester United loanee has been one of the standout players for Chris Wilder's side this season and has made a name for himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in world football, having registered 9 shutouts this season in the Premier League.
The young goalkeeper is set to have a bright future in the game and is contention to be named in Gareth Southgate's squad for the European Championships later in the year. While it could be argued that Brazilian shot-stopper Alisson Becker is also in with a shout, the Liverpool goalkeeper missed a chunk of the season owing to a muscle injury, due to which Henderson gets the nod.
Defence
Trent Alexander-Arnold
After smashing the Premier League record for the most assists by a defender in the single season, with 12 assists to his name, Trent Alexander-Arnold is all set to break his own record this time around. With 2 goals and 10 assists at this stage of the season, the young Englishman is having another stellar season for the Reds and has been one of the standout players of the season, as he's been a vital cog of Liverpool title charge.
Alexander-Arnold's rise over the last 18 months has been exemplary to say the least and the 21-year-old is one of the best players in the world in his position, as he combines the best of both worlds as a full back with incredible efficiency.
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk's impact on this relentless Liverpool can't be overstated and the Dutchman is amongst the contenders for the PFA Player of the Year award once again, having won the prized award last season. The 28-year-old has been an ever-present for the Reds this season and has added a sense of calmness and assurance to the Liverpool rearguard, as they once again top the clean sheet charts with 11 shutouts so far.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Van Dijk is also a leader for the Klopp's side and has contributed on the other end of the pitch, with 4 goals to his name so far this season. The former Southampton man is by far the best defender in world football and has has a stellar season once again, as he aims to play a leading role in their inevitable league victory at the end of the season.
Caglar Soyuncu
After Harry Maguire sealed a world-record switch to Manchester United in the summer, Leicester City refrained from splashing the cash in the transfer market, as they looked to replace the Englishman internally. Caglar Soyuncu was given a chance to impress at the heart of the defence and the Turkish centre half hasn't looked back since, making a name for himself as one of the emerging players in the Premier League.
A tough-tackling defender with a keen sense of positioning, Soyuncu has been one of the best central defenders this season and has been a consistent presence at the back for the Foxes. The youngster is all set to represent Turkey in the European championships this season and a big-money move could be on the cards if he carries on performing like this.
Andy Robertson
Andy Robertson's rise since joining Liverpool from Hull City has been astronomical, to say the least, as the Scottish full-back is not only the best left-back in world football but also the captain of his national team. The 25-year-old has featured in every Premier League game for the Reds this season and has played a pivotal role in their dominance, as Klopp's side currently find themselves 22 points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table.
With a goal and 6 assists to his name so far this season, Robertson has been instrumental at both ends of the pitch and is set to be a mainstay of this Liverpool side for many years to come, as they aim to establish an era of dominance in the Premier League.
Midfield
Jordan Henderson
Having featured in all but one of Liverpool's Premier League games this season, skipper Jordan Henderson has been a consistent performer and has spearheaded the Reds' title challenge this season. Tipped to be amongst the candidates for the PFA Player of the Year award, the 29-year-old is enjoying one of his best seasons in a Red shirt and has led by example, as Liverpool look unbeatable on their way to the title.
Aside from being a reliable presence in midfield and contributing to the defensive side of play, Henderson has registered 3 goals and 4 assists in the league this season, indicating that he has evolved as a player. The Liverpool captain is set to go down in the history books as the Reds look to cap off a stunning season with the Premier League title in May.
Jack Grealish
Despite Aston Villa's lacklustre season since returning to the top flight in the summer, Jack Grealish has been one of the standout performers of the current campaign and the Englishman has transformed as a player and looks like a complete players, as opposed to what was the case in his previous stint in the Premier League.
With 7 goals and 5 assists in the league this season, Grealish's attacking numbers from midfield make for impressive reading and the 24-year-old is blessed with incredible dribbling ability, as he's established himself as one of the best ball carriers in the country.
The Villa captain is being linked with big-money moves to Manchester United and Manchester City and is also in contention for the England squad, as Gareth Southgate aims to call him up for the European Championships later in the year.
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has arguably been the best player in the Premier League this season and the Belgian has single-handedly bailed Manchester City out when the others have blown hot and cold. Having chipped in with 7 goals and 16 assists in 24 appearances in the league this season, the 28-year-old is just 4 short of Thierry Henry's record-breaking assists tally from the 2002-03 and looks set to break the record in the coming weeks.
Hailed as the best attacking midfielder in world football, De Bruyne has done his reputation no harm this season and will look to continue his rich vein of form in the business end of tje current campaign.
Attack
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has been virtually unstoppable since joining Liverpool in 2017 and the Egyptian has carried on from where he left off last season, as he looks to become only the third player in history after Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry to win 3 successive Golden Boots.
Hailed as one of the biggest matchwinners in world football, Salah's form has been crucial to Liverpool's stunning form this season and the 27-year-old has registered 14 goals and 6 assists across 22 appearances in all competitions.
Salah has been at his brilliant best once again this season and it remains to be seen if he secures yet another PL Golden Boot, as he is currently behind Jamie Vardy (17) and Sergio Aguero (16).
Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy has been Leicester City's talisman this season and the Englishman has spearheaded the Foxes to an unlikely push for a UEFA Champions League spot. With 17 goals so far this season, Vardy has led from the front and taken upon the goalscoring burden, as Brendan Rodgers' side find themselves occupying 3rd spot in the Premier League standings currently.
Hailed as a club legend, Vardy continues to age like fine wine and is still going strong at the age of 33. Since their title-winning heroics in the 2015-16 season, the Englishman has been a consistent performer for the Foxes and is all set to have one of his finest ever seasons as a senior pro, as Leicester look to return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
Sergio Aguero
Despite making just 19 Premier League appearances this season, Sergio Aguero has registered 16 goals and 3 assists for Manchester City and has been a consistent performer for his side when fit. While their title hopes have disappeared in the February sun, Aguero, alongside Kevin De Bruyne, has delivered the goods when needed, as the Cityzens look to cement second place after surrendering the league title to Liverpool.
The Argentine is not only one of the greatest foreign exports to grace English football, but also one of the best strikers in Premier League history, as he currently holds the record for the most hattricks scored in the league's history with 12.
Aguero is still going strong despite being on the wrong side of 30 and is a valuable asset of Pep Guardiola's side, who will look to finish the season strongly.
