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The 2019-20 edition of the Premier League is well underway and at the halfway mark, Liverpool have left the chasing pack well and truly behind as they seem to registered a virtually unassailable league in the summit. Jurgen Klopp's side lead second-placed Leicester City by a staggering 13 points with a game in hand and are unbeaten after 20 matchdays, with their 30 year wait for a Premier League title seemingly coming to an end.
Whilst the Reds have raced off the blocks and dominated proceedings right from the get-go, Brendan Rodgers' side have exceeded expectations and find themselves in second place, ahead of reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. Pep Guardiola and co have faced a handful of damaging defeats this season and look resigned to losing their domestic crown, after a series of injuries and inconsistencies have derailed their season.
The 28th edition of the Premier League has seen it's fair share of drama and controversy, with the implementation of the VAR adding to the drama this season. The English top-flight boasts some of the most gifted footballers in world football and handful of them have dazzled consistently this season, as they look to snap up the prized PFA Player of the Year award.
The prestigious accolade is handed to the standout player of the season and is adjudged by a vote amongst the members of the players' trade union and the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA). Liverpool played have scalped the award in the last two editions, as Mohamed Salah was rewarded for his record-breaking exploits in front of goal in the 2017-18 season and Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk being recognized for his exemplary showing in the heart of the Liverpool defence last season.
After a gruelling festive period, teams have the small matter of the January transfer window to cater to in the coming weeks and they look to shore up their squads for the business end of the season. On that note, let's look at 5 players who are in contention to be crowned PFA Player of the Year in 2020.
5. Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk is the current holder of the PFA Player of the Year award and the Dutchman has carried on from where he left off last season with a series of impressive performances at the back for the Reds. The former Southampton man has revolutionized the Liverpool rearguard since joining the club just over two years ago and has picked up multiple personal accolades on his way to establishing himself as one of the biggest matchwinners in world football.
The Netherlands captain has been at his brilliant best at the back this season and has continued to impress regardless of who has partnered him in the centre of the park, the most startling example yet of the quality he possesses. van Dijk has been an ever-present for Liverpool in the Premier League this season and has also chipped in with 3 goals, with a match-winning brace against Brighton & Hove Albion last month in a 2-0 victory.
Liverpool have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season and have registered 4 shutouts domestically on the bounce for the first time since the days of Rafa Benitez in 2007, with the 28-year-old playing a pivotal role in their recent renaissance at the back.
With 3 goals, 7 clean sheets, 1 last man tackle, 22 interceptions, 101 recoveries and 129 duals won, van Dijk could well become the first player after Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the PFA POTY award in successive seasons.
4. Sadio Mane, Liverpool
Since joining Liverpool from Southampton in the summer of 2016, Sadio Mane has dazzled the Merseyside faithful with his trickery and explosiveness, as he's established himself as one of the most devastating attackers in world football. The Senegalese international, much like the rest of the Liverpool squad, has carried on from where he left off last season and has spearheaded the Merseyside club's title charge.
Alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Mane is part of the most destructive front three in world football and the trio complement each other perfectly, which brings the best out of them individually. With 11 goals and 6 assists in the Premier League this season, Mane has been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers and his form will be crucial if Jurgen Klopp's side are to end their title drought at the end of the season.
3. Jamie Vardy, Leicester City
Leicester City have been the surprise package of the Premier League season so far, having cemented second spot in the league standings in the halfway mark. Since Brendan Rodgers took over the reins from Claude Puel last season, Jamie Vardy has led from the front and produced the goods consistently, as he's spearheaded the Foxes to unthinkable heights this season.
Vardy has aged like fine wine and is still going strong at the age of 32, with 17 league goals to his name this season. The talismanic striker looks well set to win his second Premier League Golden Boot and is currently 4 goals clear of his closest competitor. Leicester will hope for the veteran striker to continue his rich vein of form into the business end of the season, as they look to secure UEFA Champions League football for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
2. Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Despite Manchester City's shortcomings domestically this season, Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the standout players in the Premier League and has made sure the reigning champions have remained in contention for a place in the top two. Alongside Raheem Sterling, the Belgian international has been a star-turn of the Manchester City side this season, with 7 goals and 12 assists to his name.
De Bruyne is blessed with technical ability in abundance but the fact that he is a tireless worker off the ball coupled with his two-footed shooting ability makes him one of the biggest matchwinners in the Premier League. The former Chelsea man has been one of the shining lights in an otherwise lacklustre domestic season for the Cityzens this season and is well and truly on course to break Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists in a single Premier League season.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as one of the most gifted young players of his generation and the Scouser has been involved in quite a few decisive moments in the Premier League as well as his Europe in his short Liverpool career so far. Fresh from breaking the top-flight record for the most assist recorded by a defender last season, the 21-year-old has enhanced his superstar status with a series of eye-catching displays for the Reds.
Despite being a right-back Alexander-Arnold is Liverpool's main creative outlet and the academy graduate has made decisive contributions in both ends of the pitch, making him an indispensable member of Jurgen Klopp's setup. With 2 goals and 8 assists to his name so far this season, the youngster is well on course to improve his tally from last season and the fact that a 21-year-old features in the list ahead of some of the biggest names in the world is the most damming example yet of his outrageous ability.
