John Aldridge believes one unsung hero may have been Liverpool's best player of 2020

While captain Jordan Henderson was hailed as Liverpool's star man in 2020, defender Virgil van Dijk attracted plenty of plaudits prior to his season-ending injury in October and Mohamed Salah is a headline grabber, former Reds striker Aldridge believes one man is missing when the tributes are handed out.

"There was a lot of debate over who was the best player of 2020 and Jordan Henderson got a few nominations, but I'd be tempted to select another Liverpool player for that prize," Aldo told us.

"Bruno Fernandes has been superb since he arrived at Manchester United in January and the Tottenham duo of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have been top class.

"Yet when I look at a player who has been most influential in the best team in the land, my focus falls on Liverpool's flawless maestro, Fabinho.

"He took some time to find his feet at Liverpool, but Fabinho's importance to Jurgen Klopp's side has been highlighted time and again in recent months.

"This Brazilian was fantastic in midfield in the first half of 2020 and has been a maestro at the heart of the defence since Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez picked up season-ending injuries.

"In fact, if all of Liverpool's defenders were fit and available, Fabinho would probably be picked as Van Dijk's partner ahead of everyone else and that says a lot about his performances.

"He has barely put a foot wrong since stepping into the heart of the defence and he has been a great leader to guide youngsters Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams in the last few weeks.

"It's not easy to play in an unfamiliar position and look like the best player in that position in an instant, but Fabinho has pulled that off and he has been a revelation.

"I don't think a Liverpool defence made up of a makeshift midfielder, the occasionally Joel Matip and a couple of young kids will be enough to win them the Premier League title in 2021, yet as long as Fabinho continues to perform as he has done in the last few months, anything is possible."