GOALKEEPER - Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
The Brazilian has carried on his phenomenal form from last season in this year's campaign. Liverpool's number 1 was injured for the first 8 games of the season but has still registered a total of 10 clean sheets in the league and even notching an incredible assist for Mohamed Salah in the game against Manchester United. There have been a couple of other contenders for this award, Dean Henderson at Sheffield United has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and Ederson is always a reliable source for Manchester City however on this occasion its the Liverpool 'keeper that gets my vote.
RIGHT BACK - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
For a lad who plays at right back, Trent Alexander-Arnold has such an influence on how this Liverpool side show their teeth and show how deadly they are going forward. Scoring in crucial games at Stamford Bridge and the King Power, Alexander-Arnold is breaking the mould for the common right back and showing how the modern full back is expected to play. As a youngster you may have questioned his defensive abilities but this season he has matured into a fine defender and has probably gained a reputation as the best in the world. Along with his goal scoring he has also equalled his own record of 12 assists for a defender in the Premier League and looks a certainty to win PFA Young Player of the Season.
CENTRE BACK - Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
Don't be warned, this team is not going to be 1-11 of Liverpool players, however saying that Joe Gomez's recent form must not only be putting a smile on the face of Jurgen Klopp but will also be pleasing Gareth Southgate ahead of the European Championships. Gomez, alongside Virgil Van Dijk have looked a formidable partnership and for somebody who is just 22 years old, Gomez looks to be on the way to a wonderful career. The fact he only came back into the team because of an injury to Joel Matip could have scared the average player and influenced on performances in the season. That certainly hasn't been the case with Gomez who has taken Liverpool's defence to a different level this season and the confidence the Liverpool team have in each other defensively is exceptional.
CENTRE BACK - Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
I am genuinely running out of words on how to describe Virgil Van Dijk. Robbed of a Ballon D'or victory back in December but possibly on course to become a back to back winner of the PFA Player of the Year. Van Dijk has been an absolute colossus at the back for Liverpool once again this season, he seems to improve whatever defensive partner he plays alongside whether it is Gomez, Joel Matip or Dejan Lovren. A threat in either box for the opposition, he sets the tone for every game Liverpool play and his passing range is simply sensational. This season looks as if it is finally the end of Liverpool's title drought and Virgil Van Dijk has played a big a part as anyone in ending that, he will go down as a club legend without a doubt and once again he is a definite for the Team of the Season.
LEFT BACK - Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Arguably the easiest decision this season due to the lack of quality in the position is yet another Liverpool player in the form of left back, Andrew Robertson. Robertson unlike the rest of the left backs in the league has performed very well this season even popping up with a rare goal in the win at Villa Park which turned out to be crucial in this season's title race. His playful competition with Alexander-Arnold when it comes to assists shows how competitive the Liverpool full backs are, even though Robertson only has 7 in comparison to Alexander-Arnold's 12. The way Liverpool widen the pitch with diagonal passes between players is such a crucial part of how they have played this season and Robertson has been a huge part of that this season.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD - Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)
This lad does not deserve to be where he is in the table at the moment, he is carrying Aston Villa! If the Midlands club were to stay in the Premier League this season they have their captain to thank for it, he has been absolutely tremendous. There has been an ongoing debate this season on who is the better player out of Grealish and James Maddison at Leicester City, for me, Grealish is a better player and will become a more influential player in the future than Maddison. I expect Grealish to get his first national team call-up in the coming months and Gareth Southgate would be foolish not to start him in the Euro's.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
The man who is the spearhead of a wonderful Manchester City team, Kevin De Bruyne has had a tremendous season. De Bruyne has an outstanding total of 16 assists in just 26 games and add to that 8 goals, including a goal of the season contender at St James' Park. He is now the player in the Premier League where when he stands over a dead ball or has the ball in a dangerous area, you know your team is in trouble. The fact that Liverpool have been so dominant yet De Bruyne is still one of the favourites for the end of season accolades shows just quite how influential he has been this season and reflects what a special talent he is. I cannot see De Bruyne winning the player of the season however he has been quite magnificent for Manchester City.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD - Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
The current favourite for the player of the season is Liverpool's captain, Jordan Henderson. What an achievement it will be to be the captain of the Liverpool team that wins its first title in 30 years. Henderson has already became the 5th Liverpool captain to lift the European Cup back in June so he is on the way to hero status at Anfield. Apart from exceptional leadership, Henderson has also taken his game to a different level this season and he has even chipped with a few more goals from midfield, scoring 3 including a crucial equaliser at home to Spurs. With an injury for Harry Kane there is a good chance Henderson will captain England at the Euro's in the summer and his experience could come in handy when it comes to crunch games at the end of the tournament.
RIGHT MIDFIELD - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has now scored 15 goals in the Premier League this season yet people still seem to think he is not having a good season. Salah is still the player in the Liverpool team who you would be looking for if you need a moment of magic in a game or if you need that goal to start things off. There have been so many goals that Liverpool have scored this season which spring to mind but the one that sticks out is Salah's goal against Manchester United, a goal which seemingly sealed the title for Liverpool and broke Salah's duck against the red half of Manchester, a goal which showed all of Salah's strengths, pace, composure, strength, it had it all and it epitomises Salah's Liverpool career, coming up with the goods when they need him.
LEFT MIDFIELD - Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Another member of Liverpool's fantastic front 3 gets into this team in the shape of Sadio Mane. The man who seems to be the one who is scoring the late goals for Liverpool this season, his winner at Aston Villa giving Liverpool the confidence boost going into the Manchester City game earlier in the season. Mane has gone to another level this season, terrorising full backs down the wing this season and becoming the most feared winger in the premier league. Mane was an easy choice for this team for me, I don't feel a winger has put in as many important performances as the Senegalese international this season and his link up play with Andrew Robertson has been deadly down Liverpool's left hand side and if they don't get you down the right with Alexander-Arnold and Salah, they will get you with Robertson and Mane.
CENTRE FORWARD - Danny Ings (Southampton)
Danny Ings is probably keeping Southampton in the Premier League this season and he has performed magnificently. Ings has 15 goals this season, 2 off the leader's for the golden boot Jamie Vardy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Southampton looked in a rut when they lost 9-0 at home to Leicester City and their days in the Premier League looked numbered, however manager Ralph Hasenhuttl rallied his team and with Ings upfront the goals started to come back. Ings could be playing himself in to a starting berth at the upcoming Euro's with the injuries to Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford and also with the international retirement of Jamie Vardy. What Tottenham would have paid to have Ings upfront now with the injuries to Son Heung-Min and Kane, there are a couple of top 6 teams who will be looking at Danny Ings in the summer and Southampton will do well to keep hold of the England international if he carries on his wonderful form.
No comments:
Post a Comment