Bruno up for February awards

Since his move from Sporting Lisbon back in January 2020, Fernandes has already won the Player of the Month prize on four occasions, all of them coming in the same calendar year which no player had ever achieved before.

While two of those gongs were claimed at the back end of last season, he has already won it in November and December of this campaign, and now has the chance to add a fifth to his cabinet, a feat which only five players - including former Reds Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney - have previously managed.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH SHORTLIST

Our no.18 was in fine form in the second month of the year. In the five league games the Reds played in February, our attacking midfielder scored four goals and provided three assists, making him the standout goal contributor in the league over the course of the 28 days.

Bruno scored once and set-up team-mates twice in our joint-biggest win in Premier League history, the 9-0 victory over Southampton at the start of the month. He also found the back of the net in magnificent fashion in draws with Everton and West Bromwich Albion, as well as netting a penalty against Newcastle United.

The Portugal international is currently the second-highest scorer in the league with 15 strikes, only two goals behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

One of his rivals for the prize is Jesse Lingard, who’s currently producing solid displays on loan at West Ham United. The United Academy graduate scored twice on his debut for the Hammers and followed that up with a powerful strike against Tottenham Hotspur, as well as assists versus Sheffield United and Manchester City.

The other nominees are Harvey Barnes (Leicester City), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Raphinha (Leeds United), Joachim Andersen (Fulham) and Joao Cancelo (Manchester City).

GOAL OF THE MONTH

Bruno’s wonder-strike against Everton simply could not be overlooked in the nominations for Goal of the Month. From the edge of the area, he found the far corner past goalkeeper Robin Olsen, who was left with no chance, in a goal that was eerily similar to David Beckham's against Tottenham in 1999.

Seven players are battling with our 26-year-old for the award, including Southampton duo James Ward-Prowse and Takumi Minamino, Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.

Burnley full-back Matt Lowton and Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta complete the list.

Voting is open now - cast your nomination over at the Premier League website.

Be quick, the polls close at 18:00 GMT on Monday 8 March.