PFA Player of the Year: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk gives Manchester City rival Raheem Sterling his vote

The Dutch defender is the bookies’ favourite to win the accolade but he put personal hopes to one side because he believes the Manchester City winger ‘deserves it’

Virgil van Dijk has voted for Raheem Sterling as the Premier League’s player of the year despite the Manchester City winger being widely considered his main rival for the award.

The Dutch defender is the bookies’ favourite to win the accolade but he put personal hopes to one side because he believes the Manchester City winger “deserves it”.

Even though Van Dijk’s stellar performances for Liverpool have helped transform Jurgen Klopp’s side into the only team that might stop City becoming Premier League champions again, it is meanwhile believed Sterling’s vote went to England teammate Harry Kane.

“He’s had a fantastic season,” Van Dijk said at Anfield yesterday ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League quarter final against Porto. “I think I could have voted for Bernardo Silva as well and another couple of players from City. But I am just being honest. I think he has improved a lot as a player.”

The rules state that players cannot back teammates but the Liverpool squad does not believe in tactical voting for individual prizes. It is thought Sterling has received backing from at least some of those now representing his former club. Earlier this season, Andy Robertson said Sterling had been his “toughest opponent”.

Van Dijk had been asked what it would mean to him if he became player of the year but the team he plays for won nothing – which is what happened to Mohamed Salah last season.

“I said already that we can all keep our heads high,” Van Dijk said. “But with the amount of points that we have got, with only losing one game in the Premier League so far, it is something very special. Until everything is decided, we just have to keep going.

“Individual trophies? I don’t know. Of course, you’re going to be proud. That is something you have to be. But all the hard work in the training ground, that is something we all did together – and it is to win something as a team, a collective thing as a club. Hopefully that is something that will happen.”