Graeme Souness is a former Scottish professional footballer who played for Liverpool FC from 1978 to 1984. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in Liverpool’s history, and his contributions to the club’s success during this period were significant.
During his six-year tenure at Liverpool, Souness won five league titles, three League Cups, and three European Cups. He was a key player in the Liverpool teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s, known for his tough tackling, powerful shots, and tireless work rate.
Off the pitch, Souness was known for his strong personality and leadership qualities. He was appointed captain of Liverpool in 1982 and was widely respected by his teammates for his commitment to the club and his willingness to lead by example.
Here are some of his best matches for Liverpool:
1981 European Cup Final: Souness was the captain of Liverpool when they beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the European Cup Final in Paris. Souness was instrumental in the midfield, controlling the game and setting up the winning goal for Alan Kennedy.
1984 League Cup Final: Souness scored the winning goal for Liverpool in the League Cup Final against Everton. His goal in extra time gave Liverpool a 1-0 victory and secured the trophy.
1984 European Cup Final: Souness played a key role in Liverpool’s 4-2 victory over AS Roma in the European Cup Final in Rome. He scored a penalty in the shootout to help Liverpool win their fourth European Cup.
1982 League Cup Final: Souness was the captain of Liverpool when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in the League Cup Final. Souness scored one of the goals and was a dominant force in midfield throughout the match.
1983 League Cup Final: Souness scored one of the goals in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the League Cup Final. His performance was crucial in helping Liverpool secure the trophy.
After leaving Liverpool in 1984, Souness went on to play for a number of other clubs, including Sampdoria and Rangers, before turning his hand to management. He went on to manage a number of high-profile clubs, including Liverpool, Galatasaray, and Newcastle United, and had some notable successes as a manager, including winning the Scottish Premier League with Rangers and leading Galatasaray to a UEFA Cup victory.
Overall, Graeme Souness remains a highly respected figure at Liverpool FC, both for his outstanding performances as a player and for his contributions to the club’s success during one of its most dominant periods.
His tough approach has meant he has been involved in several controversies throughout his career. Here are some notable examples:
Tackling of West German player: In a match against West Germany in the 1982 World Cup, Souness tackled the West German player, Bernd Schuster, from behind and stamped on his chest. The incident led to Souness being sent off and he later received criticism for his conduct.
Spitting incident: In a match against Dinamo Bucharest in the UEFA Cup in 1990, Souness was caught on camera spitting at one of the opposition players. The incident led to Souness being fined and suspended by UEFA.
Feud with Roy Keane: Souness and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane have had a long-standing feud, with Keane frequently criticizing Souness in the media. The two have had several heated exchanges in the media and on TV shows.
Criticism of Paul Pogba: In 2018, Souness was criticized for his comments about Manchester United player Paul Pogba, suggesting that Pogba was not a “top player” and that he “doesn’t work hard enough”. Souness’s comments were widely criticized for being unfair and out of touch.
Comments about women in football: In 2020, Souness was criticized for his comments about women in football, suggesting that “the women’s game still has a long way to go” and that women’s football is “secondary in interest” to men’s football. Souness’s comments were widely criticized for being sexist and dismissive of women’s football.
These controversies have led to Souness being a somewhat divisive figure in the world of football, with many fans having strong opinions about him one way or another.
Here are some quotes about his time as a player for the club:
“Souness was the ultimate midfielder, the complete all-rounder. He could tackle, pass, score, lead and inspire. He was Liverpool’s driving force in every sense of the word.” – Alan Hansen
“Souness was a magnificent player. He was a great leader, had a fantastic shot on him, and could tackle as well. He was everything you’d want in a midfielder.” – Ian Rush
“Graeme was a leader, a warrior, a goalscorer, a great passer, and one of the toughest competitors I have ever played with. He was an incredible player and a fantastic person.” – Kenny Dalglish
“Graeme Souness was one of the best midfielders I ever saw play the game. He was a force of nature, a complete footballer, and a great captain for Liverpool.” – Jamie Carragher
“Souness was a colossus in midfield, a dominant figure who led by example. He was a true great of Liverpool Football Club.” – Steven Gerrard
These quotes reflect the high regard in which Souness is held by his former teammates and fellow players, as well as the impact he had on Liverpool during his time at the club.
Here are some notable quotes by Souness about others in football that shows he can sometimes be a nice guy:
On Lionel Messi: “Lionel Messi is the best player I have ever seen. He is like a PlayStation player, the things he can do with the ball are just incredible.”
On Sir Alex Ferguson: “He was the best manager of my generation. He was a fierce competitor and he got the best out of his players.”
On Paul Pogba: “Pogba is a talented player, but he has to produce it week in, week out. He needs to be more consistent.”
On Jurgen Klopp: “He is the perfect fit for Liverpool. He has brought the club back to where it belongs and he has a great connection with the fans.”
On Roy Keane: “Roy was a fantastic player and a great competitor. He was a hard man on the pitch but a fair player.”
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic: “Zlatan is a unique character. He is a fantastic player and he has a winning mentality.”
On Cristiano Ronaldo: “Ronaldo is a phenomenal player. He has achieved so much in his career and he is still performing at the highest level.”
And here are some notable quotes by the Souness we know and admire best:
On Paul Pogba: “He plays like a schoolboy running after the ball in the playground. There’s no discipline in his game. He’s a liability.”
On Mesut Ozil: “He’s a luxury player. He doesn’t do enough for me, and he’s not a big-game player.”
On Dele Alli: “He’s a wonderful talent, but he’s not getting better. He’s got to grow up and realize that you can’t just keep doing the same things.”
On Arsenal’s defense: “It’s a shambles. They’re just not good enough. You can’t keep making the same mistakes and expect to win football matches.”
On Manchester United: “They’re just not good enough. There’s no identity, no plan, no style. They’re a million miles away from where they need to be.”