Phil Thompson says only Fernandinho can stop Virgil van Dijk winning Player of the Year

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes only Fernandinho can rival defender Virgil van Dijk for Player of the Year.

The Dutch defender has transformed Jurgen Klopp‘s defence from a porous handicap into an impressive asset this season, with the Reds conceding just 15 times in the Premier League, the lowest of any top flight side. 

That defensive revolution at Anfield leaves van Dijk a clear front-runner for this year’s Player of the Year award. 

Virgil van Dijk has transformed Liverpool’s defence into the best in the Premier League

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes only Fernandinho can rival the defender

And for Thompson, only Fernandinho, the metronomic midfield sweeper at Manchester City, can rival the former Celtic and Southampton. 

‘Nobody has been like Virgil this season and people are talking about him as player of the year,’ Thompson wrote in the Times.

‘It would be great if a defender won that award because it would be some statement.

‘He has rated as a 9/10 each week and, for me, the only one who can come near him for the accolade is Fernandinho at Manchester City.’

Fernandinho has played a crucial part in Manchester City’s title charge at the base of midfield

City suffered during his absence at the end of last year but have improved now he has returned

Fernandinho’s importance to the blue half of Manchester was highlighted during his absence from the team at the end of last year, when City dropped crucial points to Crystal Palace and Leicester City during the Christmas period.

Since his return normal service has resumed at the Etihad, with City strolling into a Carabao Cup final as well as destroying Chelsea 6-0 in the league.

Van Dijk missed Liverpool’s goalless draw with Bayern Munich during the week as manager Klopp tries to deal with a defensive crisis.

The Dutchman was only suspended however and should return to the starting lineup at Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday.