Jordan Henderson crowned FWA Player of the Year after outstanding season with Liverpool

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson pipped Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne to the award as the Premier League title winner was named the 2020 FWA Player of the Year

Posted Saturday, July 25, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

Jordan Henderson is the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year after he pipped Kevin de Bruyne to the award.

The Liverpool skipper was a deserved winner following his outstanding season at Anfield.

Among the contenders were Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, centre-half Virgil van Dijk, right-back assist king Trent Alexander-Arnold, forward Sadio Mane and goalscorer Mohamed Salah.

Meanwhile at Manchester City, Raheem Sterling was a possiblity for the accolade, and outside of the top two, Leicester striker Jamie Vardy was in with a shout following his goals this season.

Playmaker De Bruyne was many people's shout for the award, and he could still win the PFA Player of the Year award.

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson with the trophy after winning the Premier League

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford also earned plenty of votes following his terrific season on and off the pitch.

But Henderson was crucial in leading Liverpool to the Premier League title as Jurgen Klopp's side dominated the division from start to finish this term in unprecedented circumstances.

“I’d like to say how appreciative I am of the support of those who voted for me and the Football Writers’ Association in general,” Henderson said.

He was humble in accepting the award, as he continued: “You only have to look at the past winners of it, a number of whom I’ve been blessed to play with here at Liverpool, like Stevie (Gerrard), Luis (Suarez) and Mo (Salah) to know how prestigious it is.

“But as grateful as I am I don’t feel like I can accept this on my own. I don’t feel like anything I’ve achieved this season or in fact during my whole career has been done on my own.

“I owe a lot to so many different people – but none more so than my current teammates – who have just been incredible and deserve this every bit as much as I do.”

Henderson has missed the end to the season after picking up a knee injury a couple of weeks ago in Liverpool's away win at Brighton.

The skipper was able to lift the trophy at Anfield on Wednesday evening, though, as he celebrated with his team-mates.

The Reds' campaign finally comes to an end on Sunday as they take on Newcastle at St James' Park (4pm) where a victory would see them finish on 99 points.