sport news Sportsmail reveals its Team Of The Season for 2021-22 trends now
A season of ups and downs has come to a close with a dramatic final day sorting out the Premier League champions, fourth place and the bottom three.
Narrowing down a Team of the Season has been tough, with newly-crowned champions Manchester City and Liverpool so dominant compared to their rivals.
Chelsea showed early promise under Thomas Tuchel but faded, and the rest below that know they can't come close to the runaway top two.
But good and great seasons have been had right across the league.
West Ham thrived under David Moyes, Brentford impressed under Thomas Frank, Antonio Conte galvanised Tottenham's season after the debacle under Nuno Espirito Santo and there are more.
Sportsmail has picked our Team of the Season XI for 2021-22, with a few surprises...
Manchester City celebrate with the Premier League trophy after beating Liverpool to top spot
Alisson - Liverpool
A straight toss up between the two men who shared the Premier League Golden Glove award - Alisson and Ederson.
The two Brazilians have elevated the level of what top clubs require from their goalkeepers now and their absences are often felt.
It's Alisson who just shades it here though.
'For me, he's the best keeper in the world and he proved it again,' team-mate Jordan Henderson told The Athletic after the FA Cup final in which Alisson saved Mason Mount's decisive spot-kick.
'It's not only this season, ever since he came to the club he's been incredible. That was a world-class save in the penalty shootout after a couple of very good ones in normal time. He makes such a big difference to this team.'
Best in the world? It's really hard to argue against that.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson shows no signs of dropping off in form after a fine campaign
Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool
While Kyle Walker would have been a worthy winner at right back - he's the better defender of the two - the attacking production of Trent Alexander-Arnold is all-worldly and cannot be ignored.
The 23-year-old is staunchly defended for criticisms against his positioning as a defender - Gary Neville himself said when picking his team of the season that Alexander-Arnold's team-mate Andy Robertson is the 'best full-back in the league by a mile' - but it is his delivery where there is no debate, he is one of the best in the business.
Alexander-Arnold has managed 12 assists in the league this season, second only to Mohamed Salah, who has 13.
England have a plethora of options at right back for the World Cup but with the quality level of service Alexander-Arnold can provide time and time again, he is sure to be a shoo-in to start in Qatar.
Two for two for Liverpool.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best attacking full-backs in the world given his crosses
Antonio Rudiger - Chelsea
Now to look beyond the top two, save this being nothing more than a Manchester City and Liverpool combined XI.
Real Madrid-bound Antonio Rudiger represents a real loss for Chelsea and it is remarkable Frank Lampard turned his nose up at the German defender.
Back in the thick of it under Tuchel, Rudiger has had a fine campaign and has contributed three goals and two assists, too.
It remains a real headscratcher how Chelsea have allowed a situation to play out where he, a £70-80m-rated player, is walking out of the club for nothing come the summer.
Many may make cases for Joel Matip at Liverpool or Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte at Manchester City, but Chelsea would be much worse off had Rudiger been out.
Chelsea have failed to maintain a title bid but Antonio Rudiger has enjoyed a strong season
Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool
This should be unanimous. Seriously.
Virgil van Dijk missed much of last season due to a catastrophic injury picked up in a Merseyside derby with Everton but back fighting fit it is no coincidence that Liverpool have been battling on all fronts.
The Dutchman just provides a serenity to those around him and a winning mentality that is infectious.
He has made 50 appearances this season and the stats couldn't be clearer.
In the Premier League, Liverpool conceded 26 goals, second-best in the division behind City, with him in the side. Last season, with him out of it, they leaked 42 and were never seen in contention for the biggest prizes.
Jurgen Klopp likes to play a high line and Van Dijk allows that tactic to run smoothly.
His value is absolutely immense.
There are very few words left to describe the impact Virgil van Dijk has on this Liverpool side
Andy Robertson - Liverpool
Joao Cancelo makes a compelling argument but one full-back for your team and you are picking Andy Robertson.
Defending and attacking he is up there to be the best in class. Reece James at Chelsea has shown real quality at both ends but Robertson has developed into a world class talent under Klopp's guidance.
'He is eight or nine out of ten every
