LONDON – Steven Gerrard’s leadership of Liverpool’s most sustained title challenge in years has won him the Football Writers’ Association (FWA)’s player of the year award for the first time.
The Reds captain saw off challenges from Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand to secure top spot in a poll of FWA members.
The 28-year-old has spent most of this season playing as a second striker, forging an exhilarating partnership with Fernando Torres. He has scored 23 goals in all competitions and become the club’s record scorer in European competition.
FWA chairman Steve Bates said: ‘Steven has had a fantastic season and has so often been the driving force behind Liverpool’s forceful challenge for the Premier League title.
‘Steven is viewed by the football writers who voted as the heartbeat of Liverpool’s team and a player who gives everything for the cause.’
Gerrard, who will receive his award at a dinner in London on May 29, said he was ‘a little bit surprised’ to succeed Cristiano Ronaldo, who was honoured by the FWA in both 2007 and 2008.
‘When you look at the quality of the players there are in this league, it’s a great privilege to win this kind of award,’ Gerrard said.
– Nampa-AFP
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