Salah wins, but who’s next in line? BBC Sport’s players of the year

After leading Liverpool to a Premier League title, Mohamed Salah is expected to take home a clean sweep of end-of-season prizes this summer.

The Egyptian has the most goals in a 38-game season while being far ahead on his own in terms of goals scored (28) and assists (28).

Numerous BBC Sport pundits, reporters, and commentators all agreed that Salah has been the standout player when asked about the sport’s star of the season.

Chris Sutton, a pundit for BBC Radio 5 Live and winner of the Premier League, described his stats as outrageous: “He has scored or assisted 46 Premier League goals this season, more than Manchester United can manage.”

How on earth is it impossible to choose Mo Salah as your year’s player? “Anyone who doesn’t cast their ballots for Salah is a buffoon.”

We asked for their other key campaign players, but they were only allowed to pick one more Liverpool player to mix things up.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) is the first.

He’s my “other” Liverpool player because he’s their front-row player and has done just as well this year as he was before suffering a cruciate ligament injury in 2020.

Murillo (Nottingham Forest) 2

In my three, I would undoubtedly have a Forest player, and Chris Wood has undoubtedly contributed to their success. Despite all the ups and downs of his career, the story is still a great one despite recent drying up.

However, I’ll choose Murillo instead of Wood. Before Forest signed him in 2023, no one had heard of him, but he has played such a significant role in their outstanding season.

Because Nikola Milenkovic has been phenomenal as well and a key component of Forest’s success has been the solid foundation they provide the team, I could have easily chosen him as his center-half partner.

3: Arsenal’s Declan Rice

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United):

No longer a potential. This season, Isak fully lived as a truly world-class striker.

2: Arsenal’s Declan Rice

Consistently excellent in the midfield of Arsenal, with his two free kicks against Real Madrid one of the highlights of the season.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) number three

Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes has been a shining light for Manchester United in a season that was completely mediocre, even that ended in defeat in the final.

Fernandes has at least attempted to raise standards of quality and resilience several levels above the average of his team-mates, which are frequently questioned.

For a team that is so low in the Premier League, Fernandes is a deserving candidate, which may seem strange.

(Arsenal) Declan Rice

Arsenal’s season has been a failure in terms of trophies won, but Declan Rice’s consistently outstanding performance has been outstanding.

In the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid at Emirates Stadium, he scored those two sensational free-kicks, and he added the winner against Newcastle United, confirming Arsenal’s place in Europe’s elite competition next year. Harry Kane should become England’s next captain when he departs from the international scene.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

No one can contest Van Dijk’s teammate Mohamed Salah’s lack of merit for player of the year, but many people can attest that Liverpool’s captain was also deserving of the honor.

Ryan Gravenberch

Virgil van Dijk may have played the most games for Liverpool in the title race, but another ever-present Dutchman has done just as well. Under Arne Slot, he has developed into a crucial midfield lynchpin and has been a model of high consistency.

Declan Rice

His all-action performances against Real Madrid, which included two memorable free kicks, will be remembered, will be remembered. Even though Arsenal were comfortably in control with a 7-1 win at PSV, I can recall him lung-bursting in Eindhoven. A majestic display in Madrid also showed that desire and energy levels.

Alexander Isak

He plays football well, and his goal ratio is impressive. His instinctive goal-scoring performance in the League Cup final highlights his speed, agility, and awareness, which makes him a constant threat.

Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister

has made a significant improvement over Brighton and bonded the Liverpool defense and attack.

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak

has become a top striker. Although I’m not sure about Thierry Henry comparisons, this season has been his best.

Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes, a struggling Manchester United team, has no other Premier League player had more chances than Bruno Fernandes, who does it all the more impressive.

Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch

With Mohamed Salah as the most important player for Liverpool, because he assists in the possession-based possession-based system’s attack-building base, Arne Slot’s midfield contributes.

Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak

Newcastle have won the Carabao Cup to end their 56-year trophy drought and spearhead their Champions League campaign under the leadership of the Sweden striker. Additionally, he becomes the first Magpies player to reach 22 league goals since 2003-2004, joining Alan Shearer.

Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)

Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, along with their team-mate, will receive the individual awards, which has contributed greatly to their success. He ranks among the top 10 for clearances, the most passes, the fourth most interceptions, and the most touches in the Premier League.

Murillo (Nottingham Forest)

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

The Cameroon international scored 19 Premier League goals to keep Brentford on the verge of a European title next season. This summer, some of the “big” clubs in the top flight may be circling.

Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

The Crystal Palace winger will be remembered as the Eagles’ hero who defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final to win the team’s first major trophy.

The outstanding Eze has already scored 15 goals so far this season, matching his perfect run, which includes seven goals in Oliver Glasner’s side’s last six games.

Nottingham Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic

The season’s most affordable signing. Forest paid only £12 million to bring in the Serb from Fiorentina, and he has done a fantastic job of managing the backline.

The defense-related victories of Milenkovic will ensure Nuno Espirito Santo’s side playing next season in Europe, but will it be the Champions League or the Europa League?