On The Ball | Alisson Becker has excelled in a terrific Liverpool side this year and deserves the PFA award
- There is plenty of competition throughout the Liverpool side, but Alisson Becker has been consistently excellent
- The Brazilian could become the first goalkeeper to receive the award since Peter Shilton in 1978
They are queuing up to win player-of-the-year awards at Anfield. There are candidates all over the pitch. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side is full of individuals who can make a case that they have been the most influential performer in the English game this season.
Virgil van Dijk has been excellent throughout the campaign and got the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) vote last year. Jordan Henderson may not be flamboyant but the captain is the emotional leader of the team. Trent Alexander-Arnold has redefined the full back role and has developed into a fully-fledged superstar. Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson also deserve to be recognised for their contribution to one of the most outstanding seasons in Anfield’s history.
For most of the past decade, Liverpool have struggled between the sticks. Neither Simon Mignolet nor Loris Karius had the temperament or ability to play at the required level. The Belgian was prone to errors that preyed on his mind and undermined his confidence. His inability to communicate with his defenders left them jittery.