Mohamed Salah named PFA Player of the Year ahead of Kevin De Bruyne as Liverpool ace beats Man City star to top prize

DELIGHTED Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been crowned PFA Player of the Year.

Gary Lineker was left red-faced after announcing the news almost an hour earlier than he should have done on social media.

PA: Mohamed Salah has beaten Kevin De Bruyne to be named PFA Player of the Year

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: England boss Gareth Southgate congratulated PFA player of the year winner Mo Salah

A delighted Salah said: “It’s a big honour. I’ve worked hard and I’m very happy to win it.

“[The first Egyptian to win?] Hopefully I’m not the last one! I’m very proud to win and I’ve worked very hard.

“You’re comparing your name with some great names. To break the Premier League record is something huge in England and all over in the world.

“There are still three games to go. I want to break this record and also break the one for (42-game season). Let’s see what will happen.”

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: Fulham skipper Tom Cairney arrives with his partner

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: Fran Kirby was named PFA female player of the year at the ceremony

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: Luton Town’s Dan Potts arrives at the ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: Lauren Hemp poses with the PFA Young Female Player Of The Year Award Trophy

Salah added: “It’s an honour to win this as Player of the Year in the Premier League and especially because it’s voted by the players. So I’m very happy and very proud to win it.

“From day one I left the Premier League I wanted success here … I think I left and I came back as a different person … I didn’t have my chance (at Chelsea).”

The Egyptian fought off competition from Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne to scoop the prestigious individual prize on Sunday night.

Salah has scored an incredible 31 Premier League goals during his first season at Anfield, and has also helped himself to nine assists.

The former Chelsea man has been instrumental in Liverpool’s top four push under Jurgen Klopp.

Salah joined the Reds from Roma last summer for £37million and has quickly established himself as a club icon.

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: Casey Stoney is presented with the PFA Special Achievement Award by PFA chairman Ben Purkiss

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: Family members of Cyrille Regis collect his PFA Merit Award

The 25-year-old has also been banging in the goals in Europe, leading Liverpool to a Champions League semi-final clash with Roma.

De Bruyne finished runner-up to Salah, with the Belgian sure to be disappointed at missing out on English football’s top individual accolade.

He has been the main man in City’s incredible title win, scoring eight goals and providing  15 assists this season.

Harry Kane finished third, while Davd De Gea and Manchester City duo David Silva and Leroy Sane were also in the running.

Sane was named Young Player of the Year.

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook arrives with his partner to the PFA awards

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: Leroy Sane has been named PFA Young Player of the Year