Tony Cascarino has issued his verdict on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk being included on the shortlist for Premier League Player of the Season ahead of Arsenal pair William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Reds ran out of the steam in the last few weeks as the Premier League title race continues to threaten to go right down to the wire, but it has still been a superb season for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Virgil van Dijk was the only Liverpool player nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award, with the Dutchman joining the likes of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden on the shortlist.

Arsenal had two representatives, with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard included, and that may be something which leaves some Gunners fans feeling slightly perplexed.

Tony Cascarino thinks William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been better than Virgil Van Dijk this season

No team has a better defensive record than Arsenal, with just 28 goals conceded in their 36 games. Once again, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been exceptional at the back, helping David Raya win the Golden Glove for most clean sheets.

With that, Tony Cascarino has told talkSPORT that he is surprised to see van Dijk included on the list ahead of the Arsenal pair.

“He was really good to a period for a time, but looking over the course of the season, I would certainly say Saliba and Gabriel were better,” he said.

“He didn’t play poorly, that’s for sure. I mean, look there were other seasons he has clearly warranted being the number one centre-half, but no, not this season.”

Why Arsenal may not be surprised by shortlist decision

The Arsenal hierarchy may not be entirely surprised by the shortlist. Many at Arsenal believe that Gabriel does not get the full credit that he deserves from those outside of the club.

Van Dijk has long been considered one of the best centre-backs the Premier League has ever had. And Liverpool’s return to the title picture does deserve to be recognised.

But the fact that Cascarino feels that Saliba and Gabriel have been better perhaps symbolises how Liverpool are not quite where they need to be just yet.