Virgil van Dijk expressed disbelief on Sunday night as he became only the fourth defender in more than 40 years to be crowned the Professional Footballers' Association's Player of the Year.

The Liverpool centre-back, bedrock of the club's greatest title challenge in the Premier League era, was voted for by his peers ahead of Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, who instead won the young player of the year gong.

It was a double Dutch night of celebration as Arsenal Women forward Vivianne Miedema, also of Holland, received the women's award after scoring 22 times to lead the Gunners to their first league title since 2012. They were crowned champions earlier yesterday after a 4-0 win away to Brighton.

Van Dijk, who was presented with his award by outgoing PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor at London's Grosvenor House, said the honour was "unbelievable". "To win this award, voted by players you play against, is fantastic," he said. "It's highest honour you can get... I'm really proud." The 27-year-old said the recognition proved "defending is as important as attacking". "Everyone can take full credit for that," he said.

Liverpool and Manchester City have dominated this year's awards, but Van Dijk won the most prestigious prize ahead of a shortlist that included Sadio Mane, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva and Eden Hazard. Sterling did not attend the ceremony, but said it was a "lovely honour" to receive his young player award.