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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Liverpool FC star Virgil van Dijk reveals why he voted Man City's Raheem Sterling PFA Player of the Year

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has revealed he has voted for Man City star Raheem Sterling as his PFA Player of the Year.

Just as City and Liverpool are slugging it out at the top of the Premier League, Sterling and Van Dijk are the two favourites to win the personal accolade.

Both have had excellent seasons and been vital for their teams, though at opposite ends of the pitch.

While Sterling has contributed 19 goals and 16 assists to City's quest for the quadruple Van Dijk has been the catalyst for Liverpool's excellent defensive record, which is the best in the league having conceded just 20 goals.

Van Dijk is the current favourite to win the award but has revealed that his vote went to his closest rival.

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"I voted for Raheem Sterling," the Dutchman who is unable to for his own team-mates, said.

"I did what I thought and I thought he deserves it. He's had a fantastic season.

"I could have voted for Bernardo Silva as well and another couple of players from Manchester City. But I am just being honest I think he has improved a lot as a player.  We will see if he wins it."

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It looks set to be the tightest title race in years, with each team continuing to leapfrog one another after every victory.

Liverpool currently sit at the top of the pile with a two point advantage after their late, dramatic victory against Southampton on Friday.

However, City still do have a game in hand and it looks as though the season will go down to the wire. Van Dijk discussed the 'crazy' quality of both clubs.

"We have another team in the league that is playing pretty well and it's a bit crazy, with the amount of points we both have, that one of us is still not even champions.

"At the end of the day, we can keep our heads up high but, until the season is over, we just have to give everything that we have got – every inch, every one of us and the fans keep believing."

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