Liverpool Player of the Season named as new signing makes case against club icon

Only two games remain in Liverpool's 2023/24 season.

The expectation of many supporters before a ball was kicked was to get back in the Champions League after a year away from Europe's elite competition, though the dynamic soon shifted after an encouraging first few months for the club.

Liverpool quickly became involved in a Premier League title race with Arsenal and Manchester City, claimed the Carabao Cup and had their sights set on a historic quadruple - as was the case two years prior.

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The Reds' title bid has since faded and the club are set to end Jurgen Klopp's farewell season with just the one piece of silverware to their name.

Injuries have badly affected Liverpool's ability to continue fighting on all fronts, having missed key personnel missing for large chunks of the calendar. Those recruited last summer have each adapted reasonably well to their surroundings, though not every individual has been able to remain consistent.

Looking back on 2023/24, four Liverpool supporters have shared their views as part of a weekly ECHO fan column while selecting their Player of the Season.

Reacting to this damaging defeat, four Reds have shared their views as part of a weekly ECHO fan column.

Rhys Buchanan (Aigburth, @Rhys_Buchanan) - Joe Gomez

I've been incredibly proud of the team and what we've achieved during this transitional season. In keeping with the whole Jurgen Klopp era, it's been an emotional journey with ups and downs - but you can't say for one moment that it's been boring.

We're still a team who play with heart and soul, even during the moments when it's not going our way. With that in mind, my Player of the Season award goes to a man who knows adversity well - and that's Joe Gomez. He's stepped up to the plate time and time again when needed and put in some crucial performances across the campaign. I think his strength of character and devotion to the club has been unparalleled on and off the pitch. Ain't nobody, like Joe Gomez.

Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) - Luis Diaz

The team's performance over the season has ebbed and flowed. Dominik Szoboszlai’s blistering start to the season was followed by an indifferent end to it. Darwin Nunez has looked world class on occasion, but far too often he has lacked composure in front of goal.

Luiz Diaz, on the other hand, has continued to shine throughout the season. It’s true that he has been guilty of spurning chances, but he has continued to be influential in games and his sheer tenacity and work ethic is always evident.

His performances have been all the more impressive when we recall how much of a turbulent year he has had off the pitch. There were some whispers that the front three would need to be replaced next year, but insofar as those whispers have any substance, it would be a grave mistake to lose the creative Colombian.

Although Diaz has taken the crown for my Player of the Season, I should say that Virgil Van Dijk was a close contender. He has been imperious this year. His comments this week about his commitment to the new club project was a real lift, in what has been an underwhelming end to the season.

David Shams (Beijing, @ShamsWriter) - Alexis Mac Allister

Picking this year’s player of the season isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Seasons are long, but this felt longer than others, and it was hard to pick out a single player who has consistently stood out.

Early on it was the Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai - he couldn’t put a foot wrong. A case can be made for Caoimhin Kelleher, who deputised brilliantly in Alisson’s absence, and Conor Bradley made a superb showing, replacing an injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. But those were temporary.

One of the most surprising turns was the performance of the unheralded signing, Wataru Endo. By the time December rolled around, he had become my player of 2023. But I must admit, I made that choice partly because it was a less obvious one. Trent Alexander-Arnold, perhaps? But this season didn’t quite feel like his.

Mohamed Salah, of course, should be in the conversation, but do we give it to him by default? Virgil van Dijk stepped up during his first season as captain, but our defensive frailties saw our title challenge curtailed in April.

If push comes to shove, I’ll have to go with the Argentine Alexis Mac Allister. His star has consistently shined the brightest for the longest time. He is always there, always putting in a shift and rarely plays abysmal football.

James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - Virgil van Dijk

It’s pleasingly tough to choose a Liverpool Player of the Season. Good cases can be made for several: Alexis Mac Allister, for instance, has offered consistent composure and class within different midfield roles; Jarell Quansah has taken to senior football with such smoothness and steeliness; while Mohamed Salah has now exceeded 35 goal involvements in each of his seven seasons at the club. I’ve gone for Virgil van Dijk, though.

Having been appointed captain within an eventful summer, the Dutchman has risen to the additional responsibility. It’s easy to forget that there were questions aplenty around how the squad would function after last season’s challenges and the departures of former skipper Jordan Henderson and vice-captain James Milner.

Van Dijk’s 2023/24 levels have been among the highest of his Liverpool career, which is saying something. In and out of possession, defending high or deep, he’s represented a linchpin in the midst of regular rotation.

We’ve also watched him score, of course, including that raucous Carabao Cup final winner – arguably the moment of the season. Getting Jurgen Klopp to lift the trophy with him is a decision that’s aged well. Extending our No.4’s contract beyond 2025 is rightly seen as a priority.