Five Liverpool players have been included in UEFA’s shortlist for their Men’s Player of the Year.
As per uefa.com, Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho made the fifteen-strong shortlist. Sadio Mane was also included for his exploits with Liverpool last season.
Unfortunately, none of the quintet made it into UEFA’s final three. The top spots instead taken by Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Karim Benzema.
The winner of the award will be named during the drawing of this season’s Champions League Group Stage draw on 25th August. It would be a shock if it weren’t to be Benzema.
Liverpool back at the top of the game
Even excluding Sadio Mane here, no club had more nominations than Liverpool. Of the rest of the fifteen, Real Madrid had four and Manchester City two. Roma, Bayern Munich, PSG and Eintracht Frankfurt had one each.
That’s pretty impressive from a Liverpool point of view. After suffering years of no such representation at the big awards, it’s nice to have players who are recognised as being at the top of the game.
Of course, it’s disappointing for none to receive a top three nomination. But after missing out in the Champions League final, that was maybe to be expected.
Instead, the now departed Mane placed highest of his former teammates, finishing sixth in the voting. Salah was a place back in seventh, with Van Dijk in 10th, Alexander-Arnold 14th, and Fabinho rounding out the list in 15th.
There was good news still for Liverpool, though. All of these top players need a top manager to keep them in check, and in Jurgen Klopp The Reds have the absolute best around.
Klopp’s achievements this season have once again been taken note of. He takes his place in the three finalists for Coach of the Year for the second time in three years.
The German would have been a shoo-in for the award had Liverpool been victorious in Paris. Instead, it’s likely that Carlo Ancelotti takes the plaudits instead. Pep Guardiola inevitably rounds off the top three. Good luck, Kloppo!
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
