Former Liverpool player Graeme Souness has backed Raheem Sterling for the PFA Player of the Year.

Many pundits and bookmakers have tipped Virgil van Dijk for the top prize, but the ex Blackburn and Newcastle manager thinks the City star has been playing better than the Dutchman:

“I’ll stand by that one [Sterling being Player of the Year]. You mention De Bruyne, he’s been a wee bit injury prone this year, Aguero and him. Sterling left this place Anfield when he was 20 years old. He has been sensational and should only get better.”

“Seventeen goals is not enough for him. He’s not the most clinical of finishers and I’m sure he would accept that. But he gets into positions where he can score goals so often, he should be well into his 20s every season playing in that team.”

“I think he will, I think he will just get better and better. When you think he’s only 24 years old, there’s still a lot more to come out from him.”

“And for me, I would give it to him now, player of the season. I think he’s been fabulous, for a whole number of reasons that we haven’t got time to go into.n But I think he’s been sensational.”

Sterling’s numbers this season have been nothing short of incredible. His two goals against Crystal Palace yesterday puts him just two behind Sergio Aguero and Mo Salah at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts.

In all competitions, the 24-year-old has hit the back of the net 21 times, and his all-round contribution should not be forgotten either with 16 assists in total for City this campaign.

Sterling is still currently second favourite behind van Dijk at the bookies for the Player of the Year award. Bet365 have the City winger at 15/8 to come away with the prize while the Dutchman is still odds-on at 2/5.