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Former England defender Stuart Pearce has revealed to Sky Sports why he thinks Liverpool's Virgin van Dijk will beat Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard to the PFA Player of the Year award for the 2018/2019 season.

What's he said, then?

Liverpool centre-back Van Dijk and Hazard of the Blues are two players in the running for the prestigious accolade given at the end of each campaign to the best male player in English football, as voted for by the players themselves.

The Dutchman has helped the Merseysiders challenge for their first top-flight title in the Premier League era, while without his fellow European Hazard, the West Londoners wouldn't likely be anywhere near the top four, let alone in it.

Here's what Pearce had to say on the The Debate Podcast at 27:30 on how Van Dijk has stolen a march on the likes of Hazard:

“Where I think he might have stolen the march on people like Hazard. His form has gone from there (decent) to there (world class).

"It really has really bounced up since moving to Liverpool. I think that’s what’s caught the eye for many.

"And also the fact he’s walked into a Liverpool back-four that were being criticised reasonably heavily, admittedly they have signed a goalkeeper as well, and they look impregnable at the moment.”

The validity of this statement will depend on one factor

It's very hard for a defensive star to pick up the award in question, they have to have a monumental impact on the fortunes of their team - Van Dijk has.

However, can the 27-year-old really earn this kind of recognition if Jurgen Klopp's men fail to pick up their first Premier League trophy? Surely not.

This is why Van Dijk must fire his side to the title if he wants to beat more attacking flair players, such as Hazard, in the quest to become PFA Player of the Year for the first time.