Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand believes there is one standout player in the Premier League this season but did not acknowledge a host of Liverpool stars.
Rio Ferdinand opted against including any Liverpool player in his shortlist for the Premier League Player of the Season award. The Reds continue to lead the way and can take a huge step towards winning the title with victory over Manchester City this weekend.
While it has been a monumental team effort so far, a number of Liverpool players have excelled over the course of the campaign. Skipper Virgil van Dijk has been back to his best while Mohamed Salah has scored 16 times despite his recent injury absence.
Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright both lauded Trent Alexander-Arnold on the Stick to Football podcast in January, suggesting he was the player of the season. However like Salah, he has struggled with injuries since then.
Ferdinand though didn’t acknowledge the performances of the trio or even goalkeeper Alisson as he heaped the praise on Manchester City star Phil Foden. Speaking on TNT Sports, the former England defender said: “He is in that mix, definitely. When you think about Player of the Season, who else is there? No one is jumping off the page.
“Ollie Watkins maybe? I think this guy is top of the tree at the moment, but there is still a long way to go in the season and you have got to produce on the home straight. He’s used to it, he’s experienced enough and he’s in the driving seat for that trophy.”
Fellow pundit Joleon Lescott added: “When you are around him and you see him, you see an obsession to be better, to be the best he can be. That’s something I don’t see very often in anyone, I haven’t seen it in many players. Phil Foden wants to be the best and he’s obsessed with being the best.”
Ferdinand’s shortlist also left out Manchester City star Erling Haaland, who remains the top goalscorer in the Premier League as well as England and Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, who have both have fine seasons.
Foden is an outstanding talent and is rightly receiving plaudits for his performances. Liverpool will have to be at its best to stop him on Sunday, there is no doubt about that. But Ferdinand’s decision not to name any Liverpool players in his shortlist is a puzzling one.
The Reds have already won the Carabao Cup and sits top of the Premier League right now, with the FA Cup and Europa League firmly in its sights. Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk are particularly glaring omissions after their fine performances this season.
