Graeme Souness claims Nottingham Forest icon was “the most underrated player” of his generation”

Graeme Souness had a glittering, trophy-filled career representing Liverpool during a golden age in which the Merseyside team would win three European Cups. He appeared to be just as feisty in the television studio as a pundit after retiring.

Throughout his illustrious playing career, the all-action Scottish midfielder—who made history in 1984 when he moved to Sampdoria and became one of the first British players to play in Serie A—would thrive in star-studded title-winning teams. As such, it was understandably difficult for the Scot to choose his teammates’ starting lineup for BBC Football.

While Souness represented Rangers, Sampdoria, Middlesbrough, and the Scottish national team, the majority of the spots in his teammates’ starting lineup went to his Liverpool teammates, who under Bob Paisley’s leadership would dominate domestic and European competitions throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Ray Clemence, Richard Gough, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson

In terms of goalkeeping, Ray Clemence was maybe ahead of his time since he was a highly skilled and technically proficient player, and he was the unwavering core of what was perhaps Liverpool’s greatest side to date.

Choosing an aggressive 3-4-3 formation for his teammates, Souness selected Scottish center-back Richard Gough to play with Liverpool greats Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson in a three-man defense. Gough wasn’t the most skillful player on the field, by Souness’s own admission, but the passing range and intellect of Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson next to him beautifully balance off his abundance of bravery and aggression.

Souness backed his defense’s strength and endurance to silence any of Europe’s best offensive players, saying:

So, if you’re a striker playing against that back three, good luck. If you are in a race, it will not bring you joy. If you wish to confront them face-to-face, you won’t be happy.

Midfield

Sammy Lee, Terry McDermott, Ronnie Whelan, John Robertson

With a touch of class, Souness, a midfielder who was regarded as one of Europe’s best players for a spell in the late 1970s and early 1980s, chose not to include himself in his starting lineup.

GIVEMESPORT STATISTIC: In his brief six years at Anfield, Grieme Souness contributed to the club’s 15 trophy haul.

For the most of Souness’s tenure at the Merseyside club, Liverpool’s trusty holding midfielder Ronnie Wheelan earned a berth in the Scotsman’s starting lineup. Despite 54 goals and a trophy case that would make many of Europe’s greatest players blush, Terry McDermott—fondly known as “Terry Mac” by fans—is a surprise choice in Souness’ midfield. He stated: “Terry Mac, people wouldn’t assume he was a great player, but I’d put him as a great player.” He possessed the most insane engine and amazing technique.”

As Graeme Souness concludes his 15-year tenure at Sky Sports, we look back on some of his most iconic moments as a pundit.

As Souness deploys an attacking 3-4-3 formation, Sammy Lee’s defensive commitment earns him a spot at right midfield, while John Robertson—a Nottingham Forest European Cup winner and someone Souness refers to as “the most underrated player of my generation”—takes up position on left midfield. Souness reflected back:

“He gave off the impression that he was overweight and unfit from the way you looked at him. He moved around a lot. I can recall one particular game from the 1982 World Cup where I was blowing an hour into the game and I looked at him and he was still bombing up and down the line, and I thought to myself, how can he do that?

Robbo was a football player of extremely exceptional caliber. The people of Nottingham are the only ones who like him now; if he had played for Liverpool or Arsenal, he would be considered a national treasure, perhaps even a global phenomenon.”

Forwards

Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish, Lionel Messi (Wildcard)

This front three, which includes Lionel Messi—who many believe to be the best player in football history—and all-time Kop hero Ian Rush, partnered with Kenny Daglish, is impressive. It would be among the deadliest front threes to ever grace a football field. Looking back on “King Kenny’s” career in Liverpool, Souness remembers:

“Kenny was a really unique player; he was daring, smart, and skilled at scoring goals. He also saw passes that only the finest players can make. Although Kenny isn’t often referred to be a warrior, he undoubtedly was one.”

While Messi plays on the left, Rush, the lethal Welsh goal scorer who scored over 200 goals in two stints at Liverpool, plays through the middle, taking advantage of the many creative players surrounding him. “Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo don’t come along every generation,” remarked Souness, who is keen to capitalize on the Argentine’s playing career’s excellence.

The next Messi? Who is he? The next Ronaldo, who is? Not one exists! Messi simply does more than anyone else in terms of getting you out of your seat repeatedly.”

GET MORE NEWS HERE