Dimitar Berbatov believes Sadio Mane is currently the outstanding candidate to be named Premier League Player of the Season.
The Liverpool forward has scored 13 goals already in all competitions and played a pivotal role in his side’s ascent to the top of the table.
While Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk continue to bask in the majority of the limelight, former Manchester United striker Berbatov insists it is the Senegal international who is catching his eye on a more regular basis.
‘Looking at the season so far, when it comes to players one that has stood out for me so far is Sadio Mane,’ said the Betfair ambassador.
‘Mane has been unbelievable, the progress he has made, his performances in games, goals and assists, he has it all – everything is there for him and he is still just 27.
‘He’s got amazing speed, stamina and balance – he can still develop and it was a fantastic achievement to come fourth in the Ballon d’Or rankings, I’m sure he is please and you can see it on the pitch.
‘Every time he has that space to burst through the deference with the ball he does it with ease, he’s having an unbelievable season.’
Liverpool travel to their closest rivals in the table, Leicester, on Boxing Day and Berbatov believes Jurgen Klopp’s men will only have themselves to blame if they ultimately fail to win that long-awaited first league title since 1990.
‘Going into the second half of the season it will be a miracle if anyone stops Liverpool, for me it won’t happen and it’s their year,’ he added.
‘They are so far ahead in points, in the way they play football and this season I can’t see anyone catching them.
‘If someone does catch them, then it will be the stupidest thing that will ever happens and it will only be Liverpool’s fault and no one else.’
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