This archive report was first published on 17 December 2019.
December 17, 2019
Virgil van Dijk's outstanding form for Liverpool has earned him the Football Supporters' Association men's player of the year award.
The 28-year-old Dutch defender beat Raheem Sterling to the award, with the Manchester City man coming second. The other nominees were Liverpool's Sadio Mane, Heung-Min Son of Tottenham, Leicester's Jamie Vardy, and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Over 340,000 votes were cast, and van Dijk emerged victorious, with his performances being a key factor in Liverpool's Champions League win and their unbeaten start to the current Premier League season.
Van Dijk said, "I'm very grateful to win this trophy. It means a lot to me."
The award may help van Dijk get over the disappointment of missing out on the Ballon d'Or, which was won by Lionel Messi earlier this month.
Van Dijk had previously won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award for his performances last season.
Meanwhile, Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal won the FSA women's player of the year award for her role in helping the Netherlands to the World Cup final and her impressive goal-scoring record for the Gunners.
