Liverpool star Salah among nominees for PFA Player of the Year award

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was among six players nominated for the Professional Footballers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year award on Friday.

The 33-year-old played a key role in Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph last season with 29 goals and 18 assists.

The Egypt star was voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association -- securing almost 90 percent of the votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century -- and is the firm favourite to land the PFA prize.

Salah is joined on the shortlist by Liverpool team-mate Alexis Mac Allister, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Cole Palmer of Chelsea, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

Palmer, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2023-24, was a surprise choice for the list given his struggles for Chelsea last season.

Rice starred in midfield for Arsenal, hitting a career-high nine goals while adding 10 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions.

Sweden striker Isak scored 23 goals for Newcastle as they qualified for the Champions League and ended a 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup.

Fernandes was one of United’s few bright spots in the club’s worst top-flight campaign since 1973-74, with eight league goals and 10 assists.

This year’s awards ceremony will be held in Manchester on Aug. 19.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have agreed to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez in a deal worth a reported $54 million, according to reports on Friday.

Kerkez is due to travel to Merseyside for a medical before completing his move to the Premier League champions.

The 21-year-old caught Liverpool’s eye last season with his fine form for Bournemouth, including two goals and five assists in 38 Premier League appearances.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes brought Kerkez to Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar during his time at the Vitality Stadium.

Serbia-born Kerkez began his career at Hungarian outfit Gyor before moving to AC Milan, where he failed to make an appearance for the Serie A club.

He joined Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in 2022, arriving in the Premier League with Bournemouth a year later.

Kerkez’s impending arrival at Anfield raises questions about the future of Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson, who has been linked with Atletico Madrid.

Kerkez will become Liverpool’s latest signing in a busy summer transfer window for boss Arne Slot.

The Reds have already secured the signature of Netherlands right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has joined Real Madrid.

Liverpool are also on the verge of signing Leverkusen’s Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz after reportedly agreeing a fee that could rise to a British record £116 million.

Wirtz is believed to have undergone a medical with Liverpool on Friday ahead of the official confirmation of his transfer.

Liverpool will kick off their EPl title defence at home to Bournemouth on Aug.15 while Arsenal head to Manchester United in a blockbuster clash on the opening weekend.

Agencies