So, as you will have gathered by now, we Writers and Scribes have been asked to compose a tribute on our favourite Liverpool player. I volunteered tentatively. Why? Because my favourite player is rather a controversial one. My favourite player is not necessarily my favourite person.
Our adverse outlook toward Mr. Souness is depressing on a number of levels; particularly so for me and, I suspect, others of my generation. You see, throughout my young adult life, ‘Souey’ not only represented what was great about Liverpool, he represented what was great about football of its time. He was an obdurate, iron-willed beast of a man who left his heart on every pitch he graced. Predictably, I modelled my game on his. Partly because I didn’t quite have the technical ability of Terry Mac, partly because I had a penchant for an uncompromising tackle but
mostly because there was an honesty and reliability about his game that every avid young football fanatic should aspire to. His passion spilled over the edges at times admittedly, but what you saw is what you got from Souness. And that was his main charm.
Unfortunately, as the years rolled on, things have become a little blurred. Souness became a walking contradiction. The ‘honesty’ I once associated with him was totally at odds with his political views. The ‘reliability’ entirely contrary to the newspaper he infamously offered an exclusive to in 1992. And, finally, the ‘passion’ for the game he once exuded has been watered down in a sea of Sky Sports sound bites and clichés. There will forever be a yin to the yang with Souness. He won three European Cups; he brought Julian Dicks to the club. He won four FA Cups; he brought Julian Dicks to the club. He won five league titles; he brought Julian Dicks to the club. See? Yin and yang.
Despite his 'shortcomings', however, I can never hate Graeme Souness. In many ways, I’m like the Mother of a reprobate who has been castigated by society but who remains dear to my heart. I haven’t had to meet my hero to be let down by him. Yet that doesn’t change the fact that he still was once my hero.
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After masterminding Liverpool's first ever European Cup win in 1977, Bob Paisley sought to restructure his squad. Out went the likes of Joey Jones, Alec Lindsay, Ian Callaghan, Emlyn Hughes, Tommy Smith, John Toshack and Kevin Keegan. In, a new generation. Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen, Alan Kennedy and, of course, a brawny Scot from Middlesborough in January 1978 - Graeme Souness.
Souey's first game? a 1-0 victory at West Brom. His first goal? Just a month into his Anfield journey, a blistering left-foot volley in a 3-1 victory over Manchester United that was voted "Goal Of The Season". From the off, Souness looked every bit a Liverpool player. Aggressive in the tackle, elegant on the ball: the perfect cocktail; a player worthy of building a team around. Within five months, he was a European Cup winner. It was testament to Bob that within twelve months, the side that had retained Ol' Big Ears had an entirely new spine. Souness, alongside his permed, moustachioed doppleganger McDermott, were central in a side that ground its opponents to submission with a controlled, possession-oriented game. There was an aura about Souness, though. He commanded respect. Opposition players made detours around him in an attempt to get at the defence.
And for that reason, Souness and Liverpool were a match made in heaven. Their collective dominance coincided with my own individual football 'peak': that age when your only concern in life is Liverpool's next game and how you're going to get to it (so around 13-79). While other kids tried to replicate Kenny out on the streets and in the parks, I did my best to imitate Souey. Football seemed a lot simpler back then; purer too. And that's why Graeme Souness - even with all of his faults - remains my favourite ever player.
Happy Festivus!
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It would be remiss of me to not mention Souness' time as manager too, I suppose. Needless to say, the experiment was a resounding failure. Desperate to put his own stamp on the club, he changed too much, too fast. In hindsight, the plug ought to have been pulled after his first season. An FA Cup win in 1992 and a good run at the end of the 92/93 season - with thanks mostly to Ian Rush - brought him back from the brink twice. Absent from the 6-2 end-of-season victory in '93, Anfield was awash with rumours that Souness had walked. Alas, this wasn't the case. Souness guided Liverpool for one final season, that saw record low attendances. In the 93/94 season, Liverpool finished in 8th place, 32 points behind leaders Manchester United. Fans had become disillusioned with many of Souness' decisions.
If you were pressed to find plus points from his tenure, you couldn't look much further than Robbie Fowler who thrived being thrust into the spotlight. By his own admission, "God's" chances to impress may have been limited had the Liverpool squad have been stronger and challenging at the high end of the table. In many ways, comparisons can be drawn then with our situation now. Fowler - like Sterling, Wisdom and Suso today - gave the fans much needed hope. Souness sensed that. He was a light at the end of the tunnel. To Souness' credit, the signing of Rob Jones - undeniably one of the finest full-backs to pull on the Red shirt - for 300k from Crewe, was a very canny one too. Other exploits of his in the market, however, are best left ignored.
