Liverpool are all set to welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield on Sunday, May 30 in what is poised to be a game with huge implications for the 2022-23 Premier League top-four race. The match is slated to begin at 9:00 PM (IST).

Both teams will be eager for a win as they look to build momentum for a top-four finish and get a UEFA Champions League spot for next season. 

LIV vs TOT Dream11 prediction for Premier League 2022-23

Both these sides are separated by just one point in the league standings. While Tottenham are fifth in the points table with 54 points from 33 games, Liverpool has 53 points after 32 matches. 

Despite drawing against Manchester United in midweek, there’s no doubt that Tottenham will be slight underdogs, especially considering the vociferous atmosphere that will be there at Anfield.

Winless in their last five away games, Tottenham have won just two of their last 35 away league matches against Liverpool. Furthermore, the Merseyside club is in good form and has won their last three league matches, making them favourites to beat Spurs at home on Sunday.

LIV vs TOT Dream11 team tips for Premier League 2022-23

Top tip: Best forward - Harry Kane

Harry Kane is a must-have in your fantasy football team for this fixture. One of the most clinical strikers in the world, Kane has netted 24 times in the league and 26 goals in all competitions. More than just a pure finisher, Kane’s playmaking ability has seen him orchestrate many an attack for Spurs and has seen him provide five assists across competitions. Having him in your fantasy football team is a no-brainer.

Top tip: Best midfielder - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

A hardworking midfielder who is always in the thick of the action, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg can prove to be a smart differentiator in your team. Unlikely to be chosen by many fantasy enthusiasts, Hojbjerg can pretty much do it all. A strong tackler and smart passer of the ball, he has several ways of getting you fantasy points. The Danish international has scored five goals and provided seven assists across competitions this season.

Top tip: Best defender - Trent Alexander-Arnold

Despite being listed as a defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to play higher up the pitch in midfield going by his recent performances. Blessed with great technique and accuracy, the Liverpool academy product has been puling the strings from midfield for the Reds in the past few games and is likely to continue doing the same against Spurs. His defensive attributes aside, Trent has also scored three times and provided eight assists in all competitions this season.

Top tip: Best goalkeeper - Fraser Forster

Fraser Forster seems to have made the goalkeeping position for Spurs his own over the last week. He made some crucial saves against Man United to help his side to a draw in midweek and is likely to be busy again come this weekend against a potent Liverpool attack. This is turn should lead to him making more saves, which will earn you greater fantasy returns.

Photo credits: Alamy

Arsenal’s home game against West Ham United headlines the Matchday 17 of the Premier League 2021-22 season. The Gunners are set to host the Hammers in the early hours of Thursday, December 16. The match will kick off at 1:30 AM IST.

Premier League 2021-22 Matchday 17 will kick off with Manchester United’s trip to the Community Stadium on Wednesday, December 15 to take on Brentford. Manchester City, on the other hand, host Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium while Tottenham travel to King Power Stadium to face Leicester City.

Chelsea host a struggling Everton side on Friday, December 17 before Liverpool draw curtains to the gameweek 17 with a home match against Newcastle United.

With so much action to look forward to, we list down some smart buys that can help you ace your fantasy premier league gameweek 17. 

Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 17 tips to make your team

Best attacker: Cristiano Ronaldo

With 67 points after 13 games, Manchester United talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the fourth-best striker in the Fantasy Premier League. The 36-year-old frontman has scored seven goals with three of them coming in his last three outings. Regardless of the match result, Ronaldo is likely to make an impact against Brentford.

Best defender: Trent Alexander-Arnold

With Joao Cancelo out, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold becomes an automatic pick for a defender. Although the 23-year-old right-back has blanked in his last three league outings, he has earned bonus points for keeping a clean sheet. With Liverpool hosting a struggling Newcastle United side, Alexander-Arnold remains a top-notch choice.

Budget player: Emmanuel Dennis

In a rather troubling season, Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis has been a glaring presence. The 24-year-old frontman costs a mere £5.8 in the FPL and his return of 84 points is the best among any striker in the league. Given the form he is in, it is safe to say he remains an absolute steal.

Fantasy Premier League stats for Gameweek 17 fixtures

Arsenal vs West Ham United

West Ham United have won just one of their last five league meetings with Arsenal.

Arsenal have scored at least two goals in three of their last five matches against West Ham United.

Alexandre Lacazette has scored three goals in his last three matches against the Hammers.

Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur

There have been at least two goals scored in each of Tottenham’s last nine league games with Leicester City.

Both Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy have scored four goals in their last five league matches against Leicester and Tottenham respectively.

Tottenham have scored 11 goals against Leicester in their last five Premier League meetings.

Chelsea vs Everton

Everton have won three of their last five league matches against Chelsea. During the time, the Toffees have scored six goals while conceding just once.

Chelsea have scored six goals in their last three league matches against Everton, with all goals coming from different players.

Featured photo: AFP / Daniel Leal

With the start of the new Premier League campaign just a day away, you can rest assured that fantasy managers from around world will be spending a lot of time on their Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team in a bid to strike the right balance. Here, we have decided to assess some of the safest options who will guarantee returns more often than not over the course of the season.

Nick Pope �?5.5m

Nick Pope finished last season as the top goal-keeper in FPL with 170 points after keeping 15 clean sheets for Burnley. Part of the PFA Team of the Year last season, Pope’s consistency between the post suggests that he can be expected to have another strong season, especially with a stubborn backline in front him, which is rarely left found wanting. Pope also topped the bonus points system (BPS) in FPL among shot-stoppers last season and at just 5.5m, he makes for a smart acquisition to have in your squad.

• Fantasy Premier League 2020-21: Bargain buys

Trent Alexander-Arnold �?7.5m

Trent Alexander-Arnold doesn’t seem to be on an even playing field with other defenders thanks to his exquisite vision and passing range that makes him a constant creator of chances. He finished top among defenders with 210 FPL points last campaign �?29 more points than the next best defender. Besides all the clean sheets that he notches up being a part of Liverpool’s defence, what sets him apart is his ability to pick out a pass as his 15 assists last season �?a Premier League record for defenders �?suggests. Add his penchant for goal-scoring to that, especially from dead-ball situations, and having Alexander-Arnold in your team becomes a no-brainer.

Kevin De Bruyne �?11.5m

The 2019-20 Premier League Player of the Season, Manchester City and Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is arguably the best midfielder in the world right now. A supremely talented and technically gifted player, De Bruyne is simply a must-have in any team owing to his ability to be constantly involved in the attacking-third, where he makes things happen. He picked up 251 FPL points last season after making 13 goals and tying Thierry Henry’s assists record having set up a further 20 goals. With Manchester City and De Bruyne desperate to bring back the Premier League crown to the blue half of the city, expect the Belgian midfielder to have another strong season.

• Fantasy Focus: Top picks from the first week of the Premier League

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang �?12m

A smart candidate to captain your FPL team in the first gameweek with Arsenal travelling to newly-promoted Fulham, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be relishing his opportunity to start the season by hitting the ground running against their London rivals. Aubameyang has managed 205 FPL points in each of the last two seasons and could exceed that total in the new campaign in a more fluid and cohesive Arsenal unit under manager Mikel Arteta. He’s scored 22 league goals in each of the last two seasons and the fact that he’s been moved into midfield options for the new campaign means that he will pick up extra points for goals and clean sheets.

Mohamed Salah �?12m

After his below-par spell with Chelsea and since returning to the Premier League from AS Roma to Liverpool, Mohamed Salah has set the Premier League ablaze, which in turn makes him a fantasy favourite. He’s scored 303, 259 and 233 FPL points in his three seasons back in the Premier League and doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon. Last season saw him score 19 goals and provide 10 assists in the league but Salah will be determined to finish the upcoming campaign with even better numbers since his overall goal involvement was marginally less than that of his first two seasons with Liverpool.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Glyn Kirk

The rise of the inverted winger and the inside forwards have meant that fullbacks today essentially play the role of providing width, stretching the play and putting in delicious crosses that traditional wingers did in the past. And while there are many who are excelling in that role, none more so than Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid loanee Achraf Hakimi.

The two outstanding youngsters have already won the Champions League with their respective sides, and at just 21, are among football’s brightest prospect. While Hakimi played a backup role at Real Madrid and moved to Dortmund on loan to gain some much-needed playing time under his belt, Alexander-Arnold is one of the mainstays in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League winning side.

Both fullbacks have had excellent campaigns with their respective sides and their attacking output from the fullback position has been sensational over the course of the campaign.

While they are both incredible right-backs, which of the two is better? We assess:

Attack

Both Hakimi and Alexander-Arnold are vital cogs in their team’s attack.

The duo have identical goal contributions in the Bundesliga and the Premier League, respectively, with the Moroccan scoring five and assisting 10, while the England international has scored three and assisted 12.

Hakimi is excellent in finding open spaces and has great vision in the box while Alexander-Arnold’s crossing ability is widely considered ‘generational�?and his ability on set-pieces have drawn comparisons to the great Roberto Carlos.

The Liverpool right-back’s quick corner against Barcelona in the second leg of their semifinal at Anfield in 2019 that caught the defence napping and got Liverpool the all-important fourth goal that sent them to the UEFA Champions League final is now the stuff of folklore.

Hakimi, though, made the Champions League stage his own this season, scoring four times from the wingback position for Dortmund.

The German team’s short, quick, and methodical passing has ensured that Hakimi’s pass completion rate (85.37) is higher than Alexander-Arnold’s (74.42), whose game involves a lot of crossing.

The Real Madrid loanee’s involvement in areas in and around the box has also meant that the Moroccan, with 18 big chances created, edges out the Liverpool right-back who has 16.

Defence

It is their ability as defenders that has drawn a lot of attention this season.

Neither player is in the top tier of defensive fullbacks as they are heavily inclined towards participating in the attack rather than manning the wingers on their flanks.

Still, Hakimi has made 99 tackles in the Bundesliga this season while Alexander-Arnold has made a meagre 47. The Liverpool right-back is slightly better at reading the game and averages 1.2 interceptions per game compared to Hakimi’s 0.9 and has also committed five fewer fouls than the Dortmund wingback who has 25.

Alexander-Arnold or Hakimi?

It’s pretty even between the two at this point in their careers, however, Trent has won the Premier League and the Champions League as a prominent part of the Liverpool side while Hakimi featured just twice for Real Madrid in their successful Champion League campaign in 2017-18. Thus, the Englishman clearly has the edge over Hakimi.

The Moroccan though is reportedly seeking to a move away from the Bernabeu, with Inter Milan just close to securing his signature and a permanent starting role in Antonio Conte’s side might be what propels Hakimi over Alexander-Arnold in this battle between two generation talents.

Liverpool's coronation as English champions for the first time in 30 years is the culmination of a dramatic journey since Jurgen Klopp's appointment as manager in 2015.

Klopp is the charismatic face of Liverpool's transformation from top-four contenders to Champions League winners and now Premier League champions.

However, the Reds' success on the pitch has been made possible by plenty of shrewd work on signings and sales behind the scenes.

Of the 18-man squad named by Klopp in his first match in charge less than five years ago, only James Milner, Adam Lallana and Divock Origi have featured this season, in peripheral roles.

The construction of Liverpool's title-winning squad has been a steady process.

In Klopp's first summer transfer window, Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum arrived to help secure a return to the Champions League.

The next year they were joined by Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

By January 2018, a long pursuit of Virgil van Dijk resulted in the Dutchman becoming the world's most expensive defender for £75 million ($93 million).

Inspired by Salah's free-scoring form, the instant impact of Van Dijk and growing maturity of full-backs Robertson and academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool reached the Champions League final in 2018.

Two howlers from Loris Karius against Real Madrid delayed a sixth European Cup win for a year, but what happened afterwards showed the club's ruthless desire to get back to winning major trophies.

Read | Five key players who defined Liverpool’s title-winning season

Karius has never played another game for Liverpool as another world record fee, this time for a goalkeeper, was splashed on Alisson Becker from Roma.

Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri were also recruited in 2018 in a spending spree of more than £160 million.

"Maybe this season finally you demand they win," jibed then Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

Win is what they have done relentlessly for two years.

A mammoth total of 97 points was still not enough to win the title last season due to Manchester City's own stunning levels of consistency.

However, the upgrades for the 2018/19 season were rewarded in silverware with a Champions League triumph. On the way to the trophy Liverpool thumped Barcelona 4-0 in the second leg of the semi-final, even without the injured Salah and Roberto Firmino.

Money well spent

The momentum of Madrid rolled into this season, with only the global pandemic preventing possibly the earliest-ever crowning of English champions.

Yet, in an era of sheikhs and oligarchs, Liverpool's success is not in outspending their rivals, but doing so more efficiently.

According to transfer specialists Transfermarkt, Liverpool's net spend over the past five years is £109 million, less than the outlay of Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Brighton.

Read | Five unforgettable moments from Liverpool’s Premier League triumph

It is a testament to Klopp's managerial skill that the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £142 million in January 2018 did not derail his side's progress.

Sporting director Michael Edwards has played a huge role in giving Klopp the resources he wants to work with by extracting maximum value from departures.

The sales of Mamadou Sakho, Dominic Solanke, Danny Ward, Danny Ings, Christian Benteke and Jordon Ibe have helped contribute another £120 million.

"I must also highlight the role of our sporting director, Michael Edwards in this journey so far," said Klopp when he signed a contract extension to 2024 earlier this season.

"His input and collaboration has been just as important as anyone else's in getting us into a position to compete for the game's top titles."

Having climbed the mountain, Liverpool plan on staying there.

A host of key players including Salah, Mane, Firmino, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson have signed contract extensions in the past two years.

"Liverpool's squad is young and all the key players are tied down on long contracts. They have huge potential to win more trophies," former England captain Wayne Rooney, who also skippered Liverpool's two biggest rivals, Everton and Manchester United, admitted on Sunday.

The signing of highly-rated 17-year-old Harvey Elliott and using a bargain £8 million buyout clause to secure Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg in January are further examples of Liverpool's long-term planning.

"For anyone in football who aspires to compete in an environment where every element of the organisation is at its very best �?from the support of the supporters to the vision of the owners �?there can be no better place than this," said Klopp.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Phil Noble

After a convincing 4-0 routing of Crystal Palace mid-week, all Liverpool needed from Manchester City was to drop points against Chelsea in order to lift their first league title in 30 years. So when Christian Pulisic opened the scoring for Frank Lampard in the 36th minute, the Reds�?faithful were duly on the edge of their seat.

But the game was far from finished. City responded in the second period, with none other than their former man, Kevin De Bruyne, restoring the parity by scoring a banger. But when Fernandinho was dismissed late in the game, Willian made no mistake in restoring the advantage, sending the Liverpool players, who were gathered in a hotel to watch the game, into a frenzy.

The celebration broke out into the city, as the Reds were deservedly crowned the new champions of England, with a record seven games still to be played.

Read | Five unforgettable moments from Liverpool’s Premier League triumph

Liverpool, who finished only a point behind Manchester City in the 2018/19 Premier League campaign, have lost a solitary game this season, winning a whopping 28 of the 31 Premier League fixtures.

7 �?Liverpool have won the @premierleague title with seven games still left to play �?this is the earliest title victory in English top-flight history in terms of remaining matches when crowned champions. Romped. pic.twitter.com/q3KUSEJJJy

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 25, 2020

Jurgen Klopp, who is the first German manager to win the English top-flight title in its 131-year history, has carried a distinctive identity at Liverpool; an identity of having one of the deadliest attacking trios, a defence as solid as a rock, and a midfield as commendable as a knight; a team that hasn’t lost at home in the league in three years.

The 2019/20 Premier League season has rightly been a collective effort, but keep in mind that not even a single player has put a foot wrong throughout the season. And thus, picking out five players from the group has been as arduous as it can get. But we gave it a go.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

The fact that Liverpool’s most creative outlay this season has been a 21-year-old right-back is exhilarating, to say the least. And when Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring for his side against Crystal Palace this week, he became the youngest Liverpool player to score from a direct free-kick at Anfield in the Premier League since Robbie Fowler in 1995.

In fact, since making his debut in August 2016, the blistering full-back has been directly involved in 30 Premier League goals (five goals & 25 assists), at least five more than any other defender in the span. This season, he has not only accumulated 12 league assists but has also scored three goals, two more than he bagged in the previous campaign.

12 - Trent Alexander-Arnold provided 12 assists in the Premier League in 2018-19; the most by a defender in a single season in the competition’s history. Delivery. #OptaPLSeasons pic.twitter.com/NPCMUmdwhP

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 28, 2020

Alexander-Arnold’s most notable performance of the season came against Leicester City on Boxing Day, when he not only assisted twice but also came on the scoresheet with a fine finish in the corner.

A sure shot contender for the PFA Player of the Year, or even the PFA Young Player of the year.

Virgil van Dijk

A dominant and a consistent presence in the heart of Liverpool’s defence, Virgil van Dijk has brought the serenity Jurgen Klopp was so devoid of. The big Dutchman has played every single minute of the league this season and played a big role his side’s stupendous defensive record, having conceded just 21 goals so far. And for a defender to get a solitary yellow card in 31 league appearances shows how exceptional his tactical awareness has been this season.

Van Dijk, despite being at the club for just two-and-a-half years, has established himself as one of their greats. A player blessed with incredible passing ability and sheer physical might that is bound to terrorise the opponents, van Dijk is amongst several Liverpool players to be in the contention for winning the PFA award this season.

Jordan Henderson

Eight years back, Jordan Henderson was an unwanted commodity at Liverpool, with their then-manager Brendan Rodgers including him in a deal to bring Clint Dempsey to Anfield from Fulham. At present, he is the captain of the same side that lifted a UEFA Champions League trophy and a Premier League title in two years under Jurgen Klopp.

3 - Liverpool have scored 100+ goals in all competitions for a third consecutive season, the first time they have done so since 1986-87 (eight in a row). Tonne. pic.twitter.com/hFBINUccnt

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 24, 2020

Henderson’s stocks have been on a rise especially in the past couple of years and he has arguably been the most underrated player of his team. His influence can be jotted down with the fact that Liverpool’s win percentage drops almost 13 percent when he is not in the team (56 compared to 68.68 when he is in the team).

The midfielder has been a perfect carrier of the ball, linking his defence to attack, and has scored three goals coupled with five assists this season. Henderson’s role in the team is beyond the playing field, to say the least. The leadership quality he brings along which has glued the team under Klopp has been simply unmatchable.

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah’s ridiculous return of 44 goals in his debut campaign with Liverpool set the bar so high that when he scored 27 in the 2018/19 season, the figure looked seemingly low. The fact, however, remained that no one scored more than the Egyptian that season.

15 - Mo Salah has scored 15 @premierleague goals at Anfield this season - no other player has scored more than 10 home goals in the competition this term. Indeed, the Egyptian has scored in each of his last six home league games for the Reds (seven goals). Comforts. pic.twitter.com/AkHktVMV6k

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 24, 2020

This year, the 28-year-old has accumulated 21 goals and nine assists in all competitions. Although Salah has had his fair share of lows this season, he remains Liverpool’s top-scorer of the season, and no one in the league has scored more than his seven match-winners.

Such is Salah’s quality that despite scoring 21 goals, this figure seems like a moderate return. Maybe it’s time to just appreciate what he brings, rather than collating what he has done in the past.

Sadio Mane

Salah’s statistics may well and truly shadow Sadio Mane’s return, but there is no denying the fact that the Senegalese, who rejected an offer from Manchester United to join Liverpool in 2016, is as important as the Egyptian when it comes to producing a match-winning effort.

Mane, who has scored 15 goals and assisted seven in the Premier League this season, has been an absolute workhorse for Liverpool, grinding on Klopp’s trademark high-press, and equally efficient in defending at the back.

10 - Sadio Mané is the 10th player to score in six consecutive @premierleague appearances against a single opponent, and the second to do so for Liverpool after Mo Salah v Bournemouth. Thorn. pic.twitter.com/OI9bQ19mIQ

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 24, 2020

Underrated? Truly so.

In fact, the Senegalese has time and again been the hero for his team. For instance, against Aston Villa back in November, Mane struck a 94th-minute winner, and in February this year, his goal against Norwich gave his team a deserved victory away from home.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Peter Powell, Oli Scarff, Paul Ellis

Liverpool's title celebrations were delayed as Jurgen Klopp's side were held 0-0 by Merseyside rivals Everton, Olivier Giroud sent a warning to incoming Chelsea forward Timo Werner, and Newcastle's Joelinton finally scored at St James' Park.

Here, we look at five talking points from Sunday's action in the Premier League:

Alexander-Arnold's auction

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold showed his support of Black Lives Matter by wearing boots with the movement's name printed on them.

Trent Alexander-Arnold
Everton v Liverpool
Goodison Park, 2020 pic.twitter.com/ijtXU4EFV7

�?LFC in B&W �?19 (@arthurjarrett) June 22, 2020

The pair will be auctioned with profits going to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, according to broadcaster Sky Sports.

Forgetful Mane

As was the case throughout the Premier League this weekend, each match was proceeded with players taking a knee but Liverpool attacker Sadio Mano seemed to forget to do so.

As the referee blew to kick-off, Mane sprinted off the halfway line to start the game with the remaining 21 players on the field dropping to the ground.

Don’t think Sadio Mane got the message lmao. pic.twitter.com/XmpVRvYxLy

�?Samue (@SamueILFC) June 21, 2020

The former Southampton forward then stopped running before turning back to join in with his team-mates and opponents.

Giroud's Werner warning

World Cup winner Giroud scored the winner as Chelsea moved five points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Earlier this week, Frank Lampard's side announced RB Leipzig forward Werner will head to Stamford Bridge over the summer to challenge France's Giroud for a starting spot.

Read | Timo Werner’s transfer kicks off Lampard’s Chelsea revolution

Giroud scored his third goal in four games, continuing his form from before the coronavirus break.

If he keeps it up, he will put his hand to up to compete with the Germany striker who cost the Blues a reported 60 million euros ($67 million).

Joelinton joy

Brazilian forward Joelinton joined Newcastle last July for a club-record fee of 44 million euros ($49 million) having scored 11 goals and claimed nine assists for Hoffenheim, but had to wait until Sunday for his first goal at St James' Park.

The 23-year-old would have hoped to mark the moment in front of a packed Gallowgate End but was forced to celebrate just with his teammates at an almost empty ground.

He placed the ball under his shirt and sucked his thumb, suggesting he had more than just breaking his home goal duck to celebrate.

Spraying St James'

Strict health regulations have been put in place at all English top-flight grounds since the campaign restarted last week and on Sunday cleaners appeared in full suits to disinfect St James' Park.

Staff in the white all-in-one outfits sprayed cleaning product on the ground, advertising boards and in the stands of the 52,000 capacity ground before and during the game.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jon Super

The much-anticipated return of the Premier League promises to be an action-packed affair, with three particular tantalising blockbuster fixtures: Manchester City vs Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United and Everton vs Liverpool.

For many fans, the return of the Premier League also marks the return of the many fantasy leagues across different platforms that are available to the fans. On this note, let’s have a look at the top five players to pick in your fantasy team for the upcoming gameweek.

Dean Henderson

Team: Sheffield United

Match: Aston Villa vs Sheffield United

Dean Henderson has been a revelation for Sheffield United this season and looks set to compete with David De Gea for the No. 1 spot at Manchester United after spending the last two seasons on loan at the Blades. After helping his current side Sheffield United earn promotion to the Premier League last season, the shot-stopper has been in fine form for the Blades this season as well.

In seven appearances, he has kept 10 clean sheets, while his accurate distribution has helped the club to fifth place on the Premier League table this season, making them surprise European contenders rather than relegation candidates.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Team: Liverpool

Match: Everton vs Liverpool

Liverpool have been one of the standout teams in Europe this season and were on course for beating Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles�?record before Watford ended their run. With just three wins needed to secure their first title during the Premier League era, Liverpool could not find a better time to take on rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby.

With the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold all firing for the Reds, expect the team to wrap up the trophy soon. The young fullback has two goals and 14 assists in 28 starts this season, helping Alisson Becker to 11 clean sheets. He has also been involved in the attacking or defensive returns in 19 of his 28 games.

Kevin de Bruyne

Team: Manchester City

Match: Manchester City vs Arsenal

Manchester City take on Arsenal before hosting Burnley in a bid to reduce the deficit between themselves and Liverpool this season. The last time Arsenal played City; their manager Mikel Arteta was still the assistant manager to Pep Guardiola, and Arteta will no doubt be looking to get one over his former boss.

The Citizens might not be in top form this season but Kevin de Bruyne has been their standout player the whole season. He has 18 assists and eight goals in 26 appearances, including two of the three goals scored in the reverse fixture against Arsenal. He has also created 96 chances; more than any other player this season.

Bruno Fernandes

Team: Manchester United

Match: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United come into this game in fine fettle, having won their last fixture before the forced break, against Manchester City. Key to the resurgence of the club has been their January signing Bruno Fernandes, who has scored twice and provided three assists in his five appearances since joining the club.

Playing behind a fit Anthony Martial will be key for the Portuguese international, while his set-piece prowess will also prove crucial to the remainder of the season, with six of United’s nine remaining opponents at the bottom half of the table.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Team: Arsenal

Match: Manchester City vs Arsenal

The first of two crucial fixtures this gameweek sees Arsenal take on Manchester City at the Etihad, a fixture the Gunners are yet to win in for the last few seasons. Although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is yet to score or assist against the Citizens, his poaching prowess cannot be discounted, having scored 17 goals in 26 appearances, just two behind Golden Boot leader Jamie Vardy.

Aubameyang has always been instrumental to Arsenal’s game but has improved his performances under Mikel Arteta, having scored six times in eight matches under the Spaniard -- four more than any teammate. Post the resumption of the league, the performance of Aubameyang and his team will be in decisive in the future of the Gabonese striker.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis

It has been quite a remarkable season of Premier League football. Liverpool have blown away everyone in their path to establish a near-unassailable lead at the top. Sheffield United have been the surprise package, pushing for a European spot finish on their first season back in the Premier League.

The top-six places are far from being decided yet with a host of clubs in contention, while the same goes for the relegation battle as well.

There have been a number of stellar individual performances along the way, with stars setting the stage alight week after week until the campaign was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Read | Premier League team of the season �?Excluding top six clubs

With the pause button being pressed, let’s take a look back at the campaign and see who makes it to our Team of the Season so far;

Dean Henderson (Sheffield United) 

While Liverpool’s Alisson Becker has had another standout campaign and Burnley’s Nick Pope has also impressed heavily, it is Dean Henderson that gets the nod in our Team of the Season, owing to his sheer brilliance that has helped Sheffield United mount a surprise European qualification push.

The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper has kept ten clean sheets so far, helping the Blades to the second-best defensive record in the league. In what has been a fairytale season for him, Henderson has displayed great shot-stopping ability and positional awareness and is deserving of this spot.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) 

One of the easiest selections in this side, Trent Alexander-Arnold has continued to redefine the role of a right-back with masterful attacking displays, acting as Liverpool’s chief attacking outlet from the wing. The England international has the second-highest number of assists this season (12) and is second in the list for most chances created this term as well (75).

Read | Five contenders for PFA Young Player of the Year award

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Last season’s PFA Player of the Year, Virgil van Dijk may not have been able to reach the heights of the 2018-19 campaign, but continues to set the standards for centre-backs in the Premier League. 

A leader on the field, the Netherlands international has marshalled his backline excellently, acting as the cornerstone on which Liverpool’s campaign has been built upon. He has also chipped in with vital goals at the other end, making him an obvious pick in the Team of the Season so far.

Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester City) 

Liverpool’s Joe Gomez has shone again, while Sheffield United’s centre-back trio of Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack O’Connell has also stood out. But it is Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City who gets picked owing to the sheer impact that he has made for the Foxes this season.

Losing Harry Maguire in the summer was going to be quite a blow for Leicester, but Soyuncu has fitted in so seamlessly that Brendan Rodgers�?side have hardly felt the England international’s absence. The Turkish international has been an ever-present figure in the Foxes�?backline, helping them to the third place in the League table as well as the third-best defensive record in the competition.

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Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) 

Ben Chilwell was a contender for this spot given how well he has performed for Leicester, while Everton’s Lucas Digne was also considered. However, it is Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson who gets the nod owing to his impact on both ends of the field. 

One of the most solid full-backs defensively, the Scotsman has been a huge threat going forward as well and has contributed with a goal and seven assists for Liverpool’s title-winning cause. Robertson is an indispensable member of Jurgen Klopp’s side and it is not hard to see why.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Last season’s joint Golden Boot winner has been at it once again, spearheading Liverpool’s title challenge from the front. Salah has had ups and downs over the course of the campaign, but has still made a huge difference for Klopp’s brigade.

The Egyptian forward has bagged a total of 16 goals from 26 appearances this term �?joint third-best in the league, while also setting up six more for his teammates. With nine matches still left to be played, it wouldn’t be surprising if he went on to bag the Golden Boot once again.

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Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 

The best midfielder in the Premier League without a doubt. Manchester City may have stuttered in the defence of their Premier League title but Kevin De Bruyne has not missed a step over the course of the campaign, delivering the goods for Pep Guardiola’s side week in week out. 

The Belgian international tops the charts for most assists (16) and is set to beat Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single campaign (20). He is also the leading chance-creator in the Premier League this term with 96 �?21 more than the next closest competitor.

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) 

If the season resumes and Liverpool go on to win the title, a lot of the credit has to be given to captain Jordan Henderson. The midfielder has been a pivotal member of the team, performing in any role that has been asked of him and doing so consistently.

Henderson has scored three goals and set up five more himself, but his influence goes far beyond that. Hence, it was not surprising to see Liverpool go through a bad patch when their skipper was out injured last month. An obvious pick and a top contender for the PFA Player of the Year award for 2019-20.

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Sadio Mane (Liverpool) 

Goals, assists, work-rate off the ball, speed, creativity �?the Senegalese international is a complete package. And more often than not, Mane has been the difference-maker for Liverpool this season with his pace and dynamism in the final third of the pitch.

The 27-year-old has netted 14 goals so far this season in 26 Premier League games, while also setting up nine more. Mane has scored six winning goals in the league this term �?with only teammate Mo Salah scoring more (7).

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) 

His form may have dwindled since the turn of the year, but there is no denying the impact that Jamie Vardy has had on Leicester City’s season. The former England international has been the chief driving force behind the Foxes�?excellent campaign as they sit third in the league table.

Despite scoring just twice since January, Vardy leads the goalscoring charts for the season with 19 goals. The 33-year-old also has four assists to his name.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Where would Arsenal be without their talismanic striker? Time and again, Aubameyang has come to the Gunners�?rescue when they found themselves in difficult positions, proving his worth to the side. Named the club captain midway through the season, the Gabonese international has scored 17 goals so far, with only Vardy outscoring him this season.

There may have been questions over his future at Arsenal, but there is no questioning his attitude and commitment and the way he has led the team from the front.

Generally, this time of the year would have been the award season in the Premier League. However, the season, along with the other major sporting events across the world, has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There had been fears that the 2019-20 Premier League season would end prematurely, but it has now been confirmed that the campaign will be finished, with the June 1 deadline to end the season being pushed back indefinitely.

Footballing action remains suspended at least until the end of next month. But there is hope that the season will resume and with that in mind, let’s take a look at five players who are the top contenders to win this year’s Professional Footballers' Association Men's Players' Player of the Year - or the PFA Player of the Year award.

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

The only remaining squad member of the Liverpool side that came ever so close to winning the league title back in 2014, Jordan Henderson seems set to lead the Reds to their maiden Premier League triumph this term.

The Reds�?skipper isn’t always given due credit that he deserves. His contributions don’t always get recognized, but Henderson’s value and importance to this Liverpool side cannot be overstated. It is no surprise that Jurgen Klopp’s side faced problems over the last month after their captain was out on the treatment tables.

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Henderson has played 25 matches in the league this term, scoring three goals and setting up five more. A reliable presence when playing as a defensive midfielder, Henderson is also very much effective playing in a more advanced role, with his distribution and piercing forward runs. But, what makes him such an important cog in this side is his leadership.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 

Manchester City might have endured a disappointing campaign in comparison to the lofty standards they set for themselves, but Kevin De Bruyne has continued to shine bright for the reigning champions, proving exactly why he is considered as one of the best in the business.

De Bruyne’s influence on Guardiola’s team is huge. The Belgian international is the one who keeps the Citizens ticking, while also producing important goals on a regular basis. His importance was clearly visible in Manchester City’s toothless display in the Manchester derby recently, when De Bruyne was out with an injury.

It has been another splendid season for the Belgian midfielder, during the course of which he has made 26 appearances, bagging eight goals and assisting 16 more. At this rate, it seems just an inevitability that De Bruyne eclipses Thierry Henry’s record for most assists in a single season in the Premier League (20), once the season resumes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)  

Just his third full season with the Liverpool first-team, just 21 years old, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is already considered as one of the best right-backs in the game and has already drawn comparisons to the legends like Cafu.

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One wouldn’t be too wrong in saying that the England international is one of Liverpool’s most important creative outlets. His dangerous forays forward down the right-side, coupled with equally devastating crosses and his set-piece delivery make him such a critical part of Jurgen Klopp’s setup.

Having broken the record for most assists by a defender in a season last time out, Alexander-Arnold has already levelled that tally with 12 assists in 29 matches, while contributing with a couple of goals as well. Should the season resume, Liverpool will be crowned champions and the 21-year-old academy graduate will have played a huge role in that triumph.

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) 

A lot has changed at Leicester City since their surprise title triumph in 2015-16, but one thing that has remained constant is Jamie Vardy’s hunger for goals. The Englishman has continued to plunder goals for the Foxes and has been in brilliant form in the 2019-20 campaign.

Vardy has been one of the major driving forces behind Leicester’s push for a top-four finish. While his form has dipped somewhat since the turn of the year, the former England international is still ahead of the pack in the Golden Boot race, having found the back of the net on 19 occasions in 26 matches.

At 33 years of age, Vardy might not have a lot of years left in his career at the top level. And a strong finish to what has been a memorable campaign so far could very well see him bag the top honours.

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Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Only two players in the history of the Premier League have managed to win the PFA Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons �?Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo. And Virgil van Dijk is a strong contender to join that elite list this season.

The current holder of the award, van Dijk has once again been the cornerstone on which Liverpool’s special campaign has been built upon. The Netherlands international hasn’t missed a single league game for the Reds this season and has been integral in their run to the top. 

Liverpool have the best defensive record in the league this season (21 goals conceded) and have kept the most clean sheets as well (12). And van Dijk’s role in these achievements has been instrumental, to say the least. Commanding at the back and excellent with the ball, the 28-year-old has also chipped in with 4 goals, putting his name into the hat for this season’s top player awards.