Man Utd duo get surprise Player of the Year votes as Mohamed Salah truth clear for Liverpool

It is awards season once again, that time of the season when players are recognized for their achievements over the campaign. Liverpool has had a number of standout performers and for a long time, it looked as though Virgil van Dijk would be among the contenders for the main individual prizes in the Premier League.

The Reds' recent slump has all-but ended their title hopes, with Arsenal and Manchester City battling it out to end the season on top of the pile. And that has been reflected in the voting for the Football Writers' Association Football of the Year voting, with Phil Foden a deserving winner.

The City playmaker claimed an impressive 42 per cent of the vote, having scored 16 goals and provided a further seven assists. He pips England teammate and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, with Rodri making up the medal positions.

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The top five is completed by Martin Ødegaard and Ollie Watkins, with the Daily Mail revealing the 18 players who received at least one vote. Three Liverpool players make the list — Van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah.

Van Dijk has been a colossus at the back while Mac Allister has arguably been the signing of the season across the Premier League. Meanwhile, Salah's inclusion comes at a time where he is the subject of much speculation over his future.

It would be fair to say he has not been at his best since returning from his injury lay-off. But any suggestions that his career at the top level is coming to an end should be put to bed.

The Egyptian missed almost two months of action through that injury but has still managed to score 17 times, while only three players have more assists this season. There is a reason why Liverpool is planning to keep him amid contract uncertainty and he will have a key role to play under Arne Slot next season.

Despite Jamie Carragher suggesting he could be Player of the Year earlier in the campaign, Trent Alexander-Arnold doesn't make the cut. Given his lengthy spell on the sidelines, that may have been expected but some of the other inclusions will raise a few eyebrows at Anfield.

It has been far from a vintage season at Old Trafford with Manchester United set to miss out on the Champions League. The Red Devils have shipped 51 goals this term (15 more than Liverpool) yet its right-back Diogo Dalot did receive a vote.

Dalot has been far from United's biggest problem this season and has proven he is good enough to play at this level. But the selection of him as the best player in the Premier League is bewildering, at best. He isn't the only United inclusion either as captain Bruno Fernandes also made the 18-man list.

Given those votes, the likes of Luis Díaz and Wataru Endō can probably question why they weren't included. Football is after all a game of opinions, but some often leave us scratching our heads.