Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles has beaten off a host of Barclays Premier League stars to claim the crown of PFA Fans’ Player of the Year.

Having taken time to settle at Anfield, the Portuguese international has become a key figure for the Reds this season.

The return of Kenny Dalglish to the Anfield hot seat appeared to be the catalyst for Meireles who has added goals to his guile in the second half of the season.

Liverpool legend Dalglish said of his midfield star: "Raul has always had the ability he has shown recently.

"Maybe he's settled down a little bit and is more comfortable and confident because he is playing well but there's been nothing drastic [tactically] for any of the players really.

"It is fantastic to see Raul doing so well. He has always been a talented footballer, he's always had what we are seeing now but it's been trying to get it out and it is coming out now and he's scoring goals."

Three-times monthly winner Samir Nasri was also in the frame, along with Dimitar Berbatov, Fernando Torres and David Luiz.