The Premier League season has been brought to a premature halt for the time being, with the coronavirus pandemic decimating the sporting calendar worldwide.
The future of the 2019-20 campaign remains up in the air despite three-quarters of the season having already been played, and the prospect of cancellation still lingers regardless of the desire from footballing authorities to complete all fixtures.
Liverpool lead the way at the top of the table by a whopping 25 points and went into the enforced shutdown needing only two more wins to clinch their first title since 1990.
It is no surprise that a host of Jurgen Klopp's men lead the way in the running for the Premier League Player of the Season award, then, but there are also other contenders from elsewhere in the top flight.
Here, members of the Sports Mole team choose whom they think should win the award for 2019-20.
Barney Corkhill, Editor - Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
© Reuters
The player of the season has to be from Liverpool - their unprecedented level of dominance this term has been a truly collective effort and, while there have been significant individual contributions from other clubs in the league, the simple fact is that no team has been able to hold a candle to Klopp's men this season.
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah may get the headlines, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk earn plenty of plaudits and full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson have helped to revolutionise their position. For me, though, Jordan Henderson has been the standout performer and the main reason behind just how relentless Liverpool have been this term.
The skipper sets the tone and keeps standards high in each and every game, regardless of the opponent, making sure that no complacency is allowed to creep in. Henderson's importance to the team was perhaps best demonstrated by their dip in form during his injury absence in February and March, and the stats back that up with Liverpool enjoying a much better win percentage when their captain is on the pitch.
Matt Law, Football Editor - Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
© Reuters
It has to be Van Dijk again for me. Liverpool's front three have again been strong while Jordan Henderson has impressed in midfield, but the Reds just wouldn't be the same side without the Dutchman.
He has not missed a single minute of the team's campaign and has also chipped in with four goals, including one against Manchester United. Liverpool would be half the team without the 28-year-old, who deserves the award again in my opinion.
Darren Plant, Senior Reporter - Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
© Reuters
While the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have again racked up the goal contributions this season, Liverpool would not be in their current position if they did not have a captain in the mould of Jordan Henderson.
The midfielder has never been the most prolific when it comes to goals and assists, but he made vital contributions against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City during October and November respectively, a period which set his team apart from the rest.
Further still, it was no coincidence that Henderson was on the sidelines when Liverpool succumbed so tamely at Watford for their only Premier League defeat of the season, highlighting how the presence and work-rate of the 29-year-old is vital given Jurgen Klopp's chosen style of play.
Dan Lewis, Senior Reporter - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
© Reuters
Liverpool are on course to win the title by a record margin should the season be given the all clear to continue, but they do not boast the division's best player.
In my opinion there is nobody better in English football right now than Kevin De Bruyne, who has bounced back from an injury-plagued campaign last time by scoring and assisting a combined 24 goals this time around. More than stats alone, though, the Belgian is a joy to watch and tends to step it up in the bigger matches.
Ben Knapton, Reporter - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
© Reuters
Obviously Manchester City haven't replicated their title-winning form of the past two years, but Kevin De Bruyne has been nothing short of phenomenal for them throughout the season.
Eight goals and 16 assists in the league is an exceptional return and, in my opinion, he's the player that really makes the City team tick. It would be easy to select a Liverpool player, but De Bruyne's individual returns have been unmatched and as a result he gets my vote.
