Manchester City forward Erling Haaland was snubbed as Jamie Carragher listed his three Premier League player of the season contenders.
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Carragher lists POTS contendersCity, Liverpool and Arsenal stars all featureBut Haaland snubbed despite 18-goal seasonGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
All three of Liverpool, City and Arsenal are flying high at the top of the table. All three sides are within just two points of one another with just 11 games remaining. As such, Liverpool legend and current pundit Carragher explained named a key player from each team when explaining his choices for the Premier League's player of the season award. Carragher picked Virgil van Dijk from Liverpool, Declan Rice from Arsenal and Phil Foden from City – not Haaland. He went on to admit that City's squad depth makes Foden slightly less of a key player for Pep Guardiola's side, but that should take nothing away from his quality.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT CARRAGHER SAID
The ex-Reds defender wrote in his column for : "Liverpool want the quadruple. Manchester City seek another treble. Phil Foden, Virgil van Dijk and Declan Rice can secure themselves a double. One of the trio can be a Premier League champion and Player of the Year in 2024. All three player of the year contenders are the main contributors driving their sides forward, the consistently outstanding performers in a high level run of form which shows no sign of stopping.
"We rarely have this situation in the Premier League and it should be savoured, with all three clubs hopefully remaining in contention until the end. It is a tribute to the way in which Liverpool and Arsenal are run that for all City’s financial advantage, their title wins have been prevented from becoming an annual procession.
"The difference between City, Liverpool and Arsenal is this: take Van Dijk or Rice out of their side, and neither club would be contenders. City would still be thriving without Foden. That is a reflection of the depth of their squad rather than intended to downplay his brilliance. I have long championed Foden. In terms of pure talent, he is England’s best player, and a break from tradition in terms of what he brings to his club and country."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Carragher also notes that Rice has "added a steeliness to Arsenal's spine", which suggest they may not bottle it as they did 12 months ago. That said, his suggestions do miss out a number of key contenders for the esteemed individual prize.
Haaland would be the obvious name. The Norwegian, who won last year's award with a staggering 36 goals from 35 matches, will certainly be in with a shout. He has not quite matched last season's insane tally but still leads the way with 18 goals to his name. Elsewhere, Van Dijk's team-mate Mohamed Salah has had a typically astute campaign, Rodri continues to impress for City and Bukayo Saka has been crucial to Arsenal's unlikely title push.
WHAT NEXT?
As Carragher notes in his piece, the next two Premier League matchdays will be crucial. Liverpool host City in a blockbuster fixture on Sunday before a break for the FA Cup. After that, the reigning champions host Arsenal at the Etihad. Two wins for Guardiola's side will surely seal a record-breaking fourth successive league crown. Wins for Liverpool and Arsenal, though, would certainly cause a shake-up and set up a thrilling season finale.