If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Anfield forums lately, you know the vibe is tense. It’s mid-January 2026. The winter transfer window is creaking open, and while everyone is arguing about whether we need another holding midfielder, the real conversation is quietly shifting toward the end of the road. Specifically, the Liverpool player of the season vote.
Usually, by now, one guy has run away with it. You remember the Mohamed Salah years where it wasn’t even a contest? Yeah, those feel like a lifetime ago. This time around, it’s a bit of a mess—in a good way. We’ve got at least four players who could genuinely claim the crown, and the fan polls are currently split down the middle.
The Szoboszlai Surge: Why the Captain of Hungary is Dominating
Dominik Szoboszlai is basically inevitable at this point. Honestly, the guy doesn't seem to get tired. Have you seen his distance covered stats this month? It’s ridiculous.
He already bagged the Standard Chartered Player of the Month award for August, October, and November. That’s a hat-trick of trophies before we even hit Christmas. Fans are obsessed with him, and for good reason. It wasn't just that thumping free-kick against Real Madrid—though that certainly helped his case. It's the fact that he's played every single minute of the heavy November schedule without looking like he needs a nap.
In the current unofficial Liverpool player of the season vote trackers, Szoboszlai is pulling more than two-thirds of the casual vote. People love a workhorse who can also ping a ball 40 yards onto a dime. He’s currently sitting on 6 goals and 5 assists for the 2025/26 campaign, but the stats don't really show how he's basically been the engine room keeping Arne Slot’s system from stalling.
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Is Salah Still the King?
Look, we have to talk about Mo. We always have to talk about Mo.
Last season (2024/25) was statistically one of the most insane things we’ve ever seen. 29 league goals. 18 assists. He literally matched the record for most goal involvements in a 38-game season. Naturally, he swept the PFA Player of the Season and the FWA Footballer of the Year awards. He even won the club's internal vote for the fifth time.
But 2026 feels... different?
Salah is 33 now. He’s still clinical, don't get me wrong. He's got 20 appearances so far this term and he’s still the one everyone looks to when we’re 1-0 down at 80 minutes. But there’s a feeling among some sections of the Kop that this might be the "passing of the torch" season. While he’s still high up in the Liverpool player of the season vote discussions, he isn't the runaway leader he used to be. Some fans are starting to reward the defensive stability we’ve seen under Slot instead of just the goal-scorers.
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The Dark Horses and the Defensive Wall
If you aren't looking at Virgil van Dijk, are you even watching the games?
Virgil just got named to the EA SPORTS FC Team of the Year for the seventh time. Seven. That’s not a fluke. He’s the captain, he’s the lighthouse, and he’s been the most consistent performer of the 2025/26 season so far. While the attackers get the glory, the "Virgil Effect" is what’s keeping us in the title race.
Then you’ve got Ryan Gravenberch. Remember when people weren't sure if he’d make it here? Kinda funny now. He leads the team in progressive carries (72 so far) and has become arguably the most improved player under the new coaching staff. If the Liverpool player of the season vote was based purely on "most improved," he’d win by a landslide.
The Current "Big Three" in the Running:
- Dominik Szoboszlai: The fan favorite. High energy, three POTM awards already.
- Virgil van Dijk: The expert’s choice. Total control, zero mistakes, the actual glue.
- Mohamed Salah: The legend. Still producing the numbers, even if he's "slowing down" (which for him is still better than 99% of the league).
How the Vote Actually Works
For those who are new to this: the official club vote usually opens toward the end of the Premier League season (think late April or May). It’s hosted on the official Liverpool FC website.
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They usually nominate a shortlist of five players. You go on there, pick your man, and hope for the best. There’s also a "Players' Player of the Season" which is often more interesting because it shows who the teammates actually respect. Last year, Salah won both, but in previous years, we’ve seen splits. Remember 2022/23 when Alisson Becker won it because he was basically the only reason we didn't finish 10th?
What to Watch for Before You Cast Your Vote
The next few months are the "crunch" period. Champions League knockout stages and the business end of the Premier League are where reputations are made.
If Szoboszlai keeps up this level of consistency, it's his to lose. But watch out for Cody Gakpo. He’s been splitting opinion lately—some think he’s world-class, others think he’s a bit "hot and cold"—but he has a habit of scoring the goals that actually matter. If he nets a winner in a Merseyside derby or a European quarter-final, his stock in the Liverpool player of the season vote will skyrocket.
Honestly, it’s just nice to have a debate where there are no wrong answers. Whether you value Virgil’s composure or Szoboszlai’s engine, the fact that we have so many contenders shows just how well the post-Klopp transition is actually going.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep an eye on the official LFC app throughout February and March. Usually, that’s when they start dropping hints about the gala dinner and the opening of the polls. If you want your voice to be heard, make sure you're registered on the official site now so you don't miss the window when the Liverpool player of the season vote officially goes live.