Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has explained his reasons behind voting for Raheem Sterling as PFA Player of the Year and has revealed Bernardo Silva got his vote for the young player award.
The Netherlands international, who ended up scooping the award at the end of the season, was not allowed to vote for any of his Liverpool teammates and made it clear that title-rivals Manchester City dominated his thoughts in the selection process.
City and Liverpool went toe-to-toe for the Premier League title this season, with Pep Guardiola's side ending the campaign victorious, but the Reds were also celebrating at the end of the campaign following Champions League glory.
That puts the duo in a prime position to renew their rivalry next season as they battle for further honours and Van Dijk admits he hopes Sterling and Bernardo Silva 's importance is decreased next term.
"It was a tough choice between him and Bernardo Silva. I think I put Bernardo Silva as Young Player of the Season. I think both of them have been outstanding," he told TalkSport.
“He [Sterling] has improved as a player this last 12 months, and he has been very important for City. Hopefully next year he’ll be a bit less so we can have it better!
“But City have been outstanding. If you look at the whole team I could have picked five or maybe six players who could have been up there.”
