The 2014/15 season hasn't quite lived up to expectation for Liverpool FC, with it being quite a disappointing season on a whole - despite the potential for success in the FA Cup. Despite the disappointments, there have however been a number of stand-out performers who have helped light up the campaign at times, but who are the main contenders for the Player of the Season as the campaign draws to a close?:
Philippe Coutinho
'The little magician' as he has been tipped by many of his teammates has shown some of his very best performances since joining Liverpool in January 2013. The Brazilian midfielder has continued on from his last two successful seasons, in which he was widely recognised for his impressive dribbling and passing ability. This season however, Coutinho has started to add goals to his game - and some outstanding ones too. Philippe has found a knack of scoring crucial goals in the last few months with winning strikes against Bolton, Southampton, Manchester City and Blackburn. Adding these goals to his game has rounded his performance perfectly and made him a crucially important player for Liverpool. He has also proved to be very versatile this campaign, playing in his preferred central role, as well as on the wing and as a striker - all with good effect. Coutinho has already been recognised by Liverpool's supporters for his outstanding performances, picking up three consecutive Player of The Month awards from December to February. Chelsea captain John Terry even selected Coutinho as his PFA Player of the Year - albeit he wasn't allowed to select any of his own teammates. Philippe will most likely be the favourite for Liverpool's Player of The Season, especially if he continues to have the same impact in big matches.
Jordan Henderson
2014/15 has been a huge breakthrough year for Jordan Henderson. Despite already being a well established first team player for a few years now, this has been the season that people have really stepped up and realised just how important Jordan is to this Liverpool side. There is no better example of his importance than Brendan Rodgers assigning him the role as Vice Captain. Although usually this wouldn't be a role with immense responsibility, Steven Gerrard's regular absence from the Liverpool side has meant that Henderson has skippered Liverpool over 10 times already in 2015. Taking over the armband has definitely added to Henderson's game, scoring six goals and assisting eight this season. The stand in captain has been a mainstay in the Liverpool side this season and has been a consistent performer throughout. Henderson scooped up the Standard Chartered Player of The Month award for March and has been a key part of Liverpool's recent rise in the table.
Raheem Sterling
Recently the 20 year old forward Raheem Sterling has been on the front pages more often than he has been the back, however this shouldn't overshadow how good a season the youngster has had for Liverpool in 2014/15. Sitting far away as The Reds' top scorer in all competitions with 12 goals - already more than he accumulated last season. Sterling's goals have often been the difference for Liverpool, but so has his energetic and dangerous style of play. Liverpool's game is very strongly orientated around fluid and fast forward play, and Sterling is often the centrepiece of this system. Now an England first team regular, Raheem has also shown he can operate in a number of roles, playing many games this season as Liverpool's focal striker, as well as playing at times as a wing back or in his preferred wide role. Raheem has once again taken his game to the next level this campaign, and despite all the media speculation about contract issues and off-field antic, he has supplied yet another very impressive season for the Liverpool supporters.
Martin Skrtel
Another player who has been a real mainstay in Brendan Rodgers' plans this season has been Martin Skrtel. Despite Liverpool's shaky start to the season, a formational change in December saw The Reds convert to a 3 at the back system, with Skrtel occupying the central role. This change really brought out the best in the Slovak who helped to guide the less experienced defenders around him, as well as help to re-build the confidence of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Liverpool's defence have kept 12 clean sheets since the turn of the year and Skrtel has been at the centre of these solid defensive displays. In 2011/12 Skrtel won the club's player of the season award, however has always suffered a fair amount of inconistency throughout his Anfield career. The arrival of Dejan Lovren last summer hinted to many that Skrtel would feature much less, but he has taken to the challenge and proved his value to the side once again this campaign.
Lucas Leiva
Another previous winner of the award - 2010/11 Player of the Year Lucas Leiva - has not featured nearly as much this campaign as the other four contenders. The Brazilian defensive midfielder has only featured in 17 Premier League games this year, so maybe shouldn't be considered as a main challenger for The Reds' best player, however his impact has been just as vital as any of Liverpool's starting regulars. Lucas has been somewhat of a luck charm for Brendan Rodgers this season, only losing twice in the league when the midfielder has played. Lucas came into the side at a time where the midfield was loose and unstable, often being overrun by teams that Liverpool would have expected to control games against. Lucas' addition to the line up has allowed Liverpool's creative players to make their mark on games whilst he does his usual job of controlling the tempo and breaking up play. Although maybe not the most attractive job, he has been crucial to Liverpool's 2nd half of the season transformation.