Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits he would be disappointed to see Virgil van Dijk miss out on the PFA Player of the Year award next week.
The £75million centre-back has instrumental behind Liverpool's sustained push for honours this season, inspiring the Reds to the best defensive record in the Premier League.
Van Dijk has been a virtual ever-present this term, missing just 35 minutes of the second half against Southampton back in September with a rib issue.
Liverpool have shipped just 20 goals in their 34 games this campaign, with Van Dijk helping the Reds to 17 clean sheets along the way.
The former Celtic and Southampton defender has elevated himself into the world-class bracket since moving to Anfield in January 2018.
Such imperious form has seen him become one of the favourites for the individual honours, with the PFA version set to be handed out before the end of the month.
Van Dijk could be the second successive winner from Anfield after Mohamed Salah's incredible debut campaign with the Reds saw him beat Kevin De Bruyne to the gong 12 months ago.
Klopp said: "Would I feel sad if Van Dijk doesn’t win Player of the Year? For him yes, of course.
"He’s had an outstanding season. Will he have deserved it? Of course. It was last season when Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah both played unbelievable seasons and Mo won it.
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"We were happy about that and not because De Bruyne lost it, because he would have deserved it as well.
"I think it is the same again in this case. It’s clear, the same again, I would be really happy for Virgil to win it, that’s clear."
Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling is Van Dijk's main competition for the 46th edition of the prestigious honour with the former Reds winger having been key for the Premier League champions all season.
Sterling, who left Anfield to move to the Etihad in 2015, has netted 17 goals in the Premier League and helped keep the Reds' rivals on course for a quadruple prior to their last-gasp Champions League exit against Tottenham in midweek.
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Sadio Mane is another on the six-man shortlist alongside Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva and Eden Hazard while Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the half-dozen in the running for the Young Player of the Year.
The 20-year-old right-back faces competition from Bernardo Silva, David Brooks, Marcus Rashford, Declan Rice and Sterling.
