LIVERPOOL dominated the 2019/20 PFA Team of the Year awards with FIVE stars in the line-up.
Virgil van Dijk joined full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson in a Reds dominated backline, with Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane also included.
After ending the Reds’ 30-year title wait by emphatically hitting 99 points, Jurgen Klopp’s stars were widely honoured at Tuesday’s ceremony.
Although Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne picked up the Player of the Year gong, Liverpool joined an elite group in the best XI category.
Only City’s 2017/18 and 2018/19 title winners, plus Chelsea’s 2014/15 triumphant side, have featured five or more men in the line-up in the past decade.
The team, voted for by Premier League players, featured Burnley’s Nick Pope in goal.
Leicester star Caglar Soyuncu claimed the only non-Liverpool defensive spot after a stunning year at King Power Stadium.
Signed in 2018, the 24-year-old Turk was elevated to Brendan Rodgers’ side after the sale of Harry Maguire and very nearly helped the Foxes to the Champions League.
Although the defensive trio all made last year’s XI and Mane was enjoying his third appearance, Jordan Henderson’s nomination was his first in the PFA awards.
The Liverpool captain joined de Bruyne and outgoing City legend David Silva in the three-man midfield.
Kevin de Bruyne took the PFA Player of the Year awardCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Trent Alexander-Arnold said he was “humbled” claim the Young Player gongCredit: PA:Press Association
Joining Mane in attack were Golden Boot rivals Jamie Vardy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, another first-time nominee.
Leicester’s Vardy earned the top scorer honour with 23 goals, leading the Arsenal captain and Southampton’s Danny Ings on 22.
Liverpool right-back Alexander-Arnold scooped the Young Player of the Year trophy from an all-English shortlist.
The 21-year-old said: “These types of awards, when it’s voted by people who have played against you and can maybe admire or respect the things you do on the pitch, is amazing.”
Arsenal ace Aubameyang pays tribute to Black Panther actor Chadwich Boseman after goal vs Liverpool in Community Shield
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
