Eight players have been shortlisted for the Premier League’s Player of the Season award, with three Liverpool stars making the cut. The Reds have romped to the title in Arne Slot’s first campaign as boss, earning the Dutchman a nomination for Manager of the Season.
The trio of Merseysiders to make the Player of the Year shortlist are Ryan Gravenberch, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. Gravenberch has recovered from a difficult debut season to make the No.6 spot his own after a failed move for Martin Zubimendi.
Van Dijk meanwhile has been imperious once again in defence as he became the first Dutchman to captain a team to the Premier League title. And amid the noise around his contract situation, Salah has fired in 28 goals, as well as notching 18 assists.
The trio will battle it out with five other players to win the award. Manchester City’s Phil Foden was crowned the winner last year, but none of Pep Guardiola’s squad make the cut following their dismal campaign.
And Declan Rice is Arsenal’s sole representative, despite the Gunners likely ending up as Liverpool’s closest challengers for the title. Rice has reached double figures for combined goals and assists, establishing himself as one of the division’s best midfielders.
Also up the prestigious award is Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White. The midfielder has been one of the driving forces behind Forest’s stunning campaign, helping them to qualify for Europe for the first time in 30 years.
Gibbs-White is joined by team-mate Chris Wood, with the 33-year-old having scored 20 goals in the best season of his career. Earning his second successive nomination is Alexander Isak.
The Swedish striker has fired Newcastle into Europe, as well as scoring in the Carabao Cup final to help the Magpies end their 56-year trophy drought. Isak’s tally of 23 goals puts him second in the Golden Boot race.
The final name on the shortlist is Bryan Mbeumo, who has contibuted 18 goals and seven assists to another impressive season for Brentford. Salah is favourite to win, having scored five more goals and notched six more assists than any other player.
He is just one goal or assist away from matching the all-time record for most goal involvements in a single campaign, a record jointly held by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole, both of whom set their records in 42-match seasons.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk will become only the fifth player in Premier League history to win the award on multiple occasions, following in the footsteps of Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic and Kevin De Bruyne.
Reds boss Slot is the favourite to win the Manager of the Season trophy, after becoming only the fifth manager to lift the Premier League trophy in his first season in England. Many deemed the job of replacing Jurgen Klopp an impossible task, but Slot has risen to the occassion, leading his side to the title with four games to spare.
Slot is up against Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who has put his side on course for their highest-ever finish, with Europe still a possibility. Also on the list is Eddie Howe, after leading Newcastle out of their mid-season funk and into a potential Champions League place.
Premier League award nominations
- Player of the Season;
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) - Manager of the Year
Thomas Frank (Brentford)
Eddie Howe (Newcastle)
Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest)
Vitor Pereira (Wolves) - Young Player of the Year
Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
William Saliba (Arsenal)
Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Liam Delap (Ipswich Town)
Joao Pedro (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth)
The Magpies remain in the hunt for second place, which would match their best-ever finishing position in the Premier League of runners-up, achieved in 1995/96 and 1996/97. The fourth name on the shortlist is Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese boss saved Nottingham Forest from relegation last term and has masterminded a stunning run to European qualification this year. He has won three Manager of the Month awards this season, more than any other manager.
The final contender is Vitor Pereira, who has won 10 of his 20 Premier League games since replacing Gary O’Neil at Wolves. The Midlands side were dead and buried when he took over, but he has successfully steered them away from the drop zone and above both Manchester United and Tottenham.
The final award up for grabs is the Young Player of the Season trophy. Gravenberch is one of eight players to make the shortlist, along with reigning holder Cole Palmer of Chelsea.
Ipswich striker Liam Delap makes the cut after an impressive season despite the Tractor Boys’ relegation. Forest star Anthony Elanga has been a pivotal figure at the City Ground and also earns a nomination.
Despite fading, Palmer has also been included after scoring 15 goals and registering eight assists. Dean Huijsen has been so impressive for Bournemouth that the centre-back is set to join Real Madrid, as well as putting himself in the running for the Young Player of the Season trophy.
Concluding the shortlist are Joao Predo of Brighton, Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa and Arsenal centre-back William Saliba. It has been a disappointing season for the Gunners, but the Frenchman has again been a commanding presence in defence, earning a second successive Young Player of the Season nomination.
Premier League supporters have until midday on Monday to vote in all three categories. The public votes will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the winner, who will be revealed next week.