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Man City star Bernardo Silva has suggested Liverpool receive biased treatment when it comes to handing out individual awards.

The Portuguese midfielder was among the nominees for last season's PFA Player of the Year award, but lost out to the impressive Virgil van Dijk.

Silva's City teammates Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling also missed out on the prize despite them defending their Premier League title by a point from Liverpool.

It was the second year in succession that a Liverpool player had picked up the award, even though City had been crowned champions.

Mohamed Salah pipped Kevin De Bruyne to the 2017/18 award after a scintillating debut season at Liverpool where he also won the Golden Boot, though his side finished in fourth while City amassed a record 100 points.

(Image: EMPICS Sport)

There are no rules stating a player from the Premier League champions of that season should be favoured for an individual honour.

And in the last two campaigns Man City stars Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane have won the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

But Silva still feels Liverpool earn a preferential treatment to their rivals.

"I hope this is not a bad example, and people don't take it badly. But I always think about the last three seasons, Man City and Liverpool," Silva told Bleacher Report. "Three seasons ago we win the league and they were 30 points behind. Kevin De Bruyne, unbelievable season, Mo Salah, scores a lot of goals. He's a great player and I admire him a lot, and they give the award to Mo Salah.

(Image: PA)

"The season after, very tight. Raheem Sterling was on the run with van Dijk, they give the award to van Dijk. This season again, Kevin de Bruyne, another unbelievable season.

"We're behind, but because Liverpool are champions probably one of them is winning the award again."

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and striker Sadio Mane are among the favourites to win this year's award, with De Bruyne also in contention.

In the Premier League era the trophy has been evenly split between players who did not win the league that season with their clubs against those that have.

Liverpool's Luis Suarez won the award in the 2013/14 season, even though City once again beat them to the title.

And in the entire history of the award since 1973, a Man City player has never won the trophy.

Silva added: "I think about David Silva, Sergio Aguero never won the PFA Player of the Year. I think the individual awards are very relative."