Who is Liverpool FC's greatest ever central midfielder: Steven Gerrard or Graeme Souness? It's a contentious question that continues to spark fierce debate amongst Reds fans, but according to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, there's only one winner.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Liverpool's weekend defeat at Old Trafford, Ferguson revealed that he coveted Gerrard for many years, but admitted that the possibility of signing him had always been slim.
Reds fans revere Gerrard, but in Fergie's view, he still hasn't usurped Souness. He observed:
"Along with Graeme Souness, he [Gerrard] is probably the best midfield player Liverpool have ever had, although I have Souness just above them all"
I agree with Ferguson here. Souness' last two seasons at Anfield (1982-1984), are my earliest memories of of LFC, and although I was young at the time, I still have vivid memories of watching him play. Plus, as a Scot myself, I remember the strong sense of family pride at the influence of Scottish players on LFC, which is one of the reasons I started supporting the club in the first place. Souness was truly a complete player:
* Tough, uncompromising leader.
* Technically and tactically superb.
* Struck genuine fear into the heart of the opposition.
* Fantastic passer of the ball.
* Frighteningly fit (Averaged 57 games a season)
* Scored and created goals.
* A master of the art of tackling.
* Fearsome shot.
Etc.
The above also apply to Gerrard in varying degrees, but Souness was simply a cut-above IMO. Put it this way, if Souness had started against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, there's no way Liverpool would've been 3-0 down at half time.
Souness has often praised Gerrard, and recently argued that he is England's 'best player over the last ten years' (debatable!), but the former Rangers manager believes he would've warmed the bench during the Bob Paisley era. He told Talksport:
"I think he [Gerrard] would struggle to get into that [Paisley's] team. I don't think he would want to play in a wider area. Unless he was prepared to do that, I don't think he would dislodge Terry Mac...or latterly, Ronnie Whelan, who was a fabulous player; and he would not replace Ray Kennedy.
"Make no mistake: Steven gerrard is a genuine star. He's carried Liverpool in their recent history, and he's been absolutely magnificent, but if you're looking to get the best out of him there are only certain positions to play him".
My all-time Liverpool FC greatest XI:
FULL TEAM: Grobbelaar, Hansen, Hyypia, Nicol, Kennedy, Souness, Barnes, Beardsley, McManaman, Rush, Dalglish.
SUBS: Clemence, Lawro, Fowler, Hamann, Keegan, Gerrard, Aldo,
------------------ Grobbelaar
Nicol --------- Hansen ---- Hyypia ------ Kennedy
---------------------- Souness (c)
Macca --------------------------------------- Barnes
--------------- Dalglish --- Beardsley
----------------------- Rush
Start most games with that line-up (or Fowler in place of Rush), then bring on Gerrard/Hamann to shore things up in midfield if need be. In matches where a greater physical presence is required in midfield:
------------------ Grobbelaar
Nicol --------- Hansen ---- Hyypia ------ Kennedy
----------- Souness (c) -- Gerrard/Hamann
Macca ------------------------------------ Barnes
--------------- Dalglish
----------------------- Rush
Jaimie Kanwar
Speaking to reporters ahead of Liverpool's weekend defeat at Old Trafford, Ferguson revealed that he coveted Gerrard for many years, but admitted that the possibility of signing him had always been slim.
Reds fans revere Gerrard, but in Fergie's view, he still hasn't usurped Souness. He observed:
"Along with Graeme Souness, he [Gerrard] is probably the best midfield player Liverpool have ever had, although I have Souness just above them all"
I agree with Ferguson here. Souness' last two seasons at Anfield (1982-1984), are my earliest memories of of LFC, and although I was young at the time, I still have vivid memories of watching him play. Plus, as a Scot myself, I remember the strong sense of family pride at the influence of Scottish players on LFC, which is one of the reasons I started supporting the club in the first place. Souness was truly a complete player:
* Tough, uncompromising leader.
* Technically and tactically superb.
* Struck genuine fear into the heart of the opposition.
* Fantastic passer of the ball.
* Frighteningly fit (Averaged 57 games a season)
* Scored and created goals.
* A master of the art of tackling.
* Fearsome shot.
Etc.
The above also apply to Gerrard in varying degrees, but Souness was simply a cut-above IMO. Put it this way, if Souness had started against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, there's no way Liverpool would've been 3-0 down at half time.
Souness has often praised Gerrard, and recently argued that he is England's 'best player over the last ten years' (debatable!), but the former Rangers manager believes he would've warmed the bench during the Bob Paisley era. He told Talksport:
"I think he [Gerrard] would struggle to get into that [Paisley's] team. I don't think he would want to play in a wider area. Unless he was prepared to do that, I don't think he would dislodge Terry Mac...or latterly, Ronnie Whelan, who was a fabulous player; and he would not replace Ray Kennedy.
"Make no mistake: Steven gerrard is a genuine star. He's carried Liverpool in their recent history, and he's been absolutely magnificent, but if you're looking to get the best out of him there are only certain positions to play him".
My all-time Liverpool FC greatest XI:
FULL TEAM: Grobbelaar, Hansen, Hyypia, Nicol, Kennedy, Souness, Barnes, Beardsley, McManaman, Rush, Dalglish.
SUBS: Clemence, Lawro, Fowler, Hamann, Keegan, Gerrard, Aldo,
------------------ Grobbelaar
Nicol --------- Hansen ---- Hyypia ------ Kennedy
---------------------- Souness (c)
Macca --------------------------------------- Barnes
--------------- Dalglish --- Beardsley
----------------------- Rush
Start most games with that line-up (or Fowler in place of Rush), then bring on Gerrard/Hamann to shore things up in midfield if need be. In matches where a greater physical presence is required in midfield:
------------------ Grobbelaar
Nicol --------- Hansen ---- Hyypia ------ Kennedy
----------- Souness (c) -- Gerrard/Hamann
Macca ------------------------------------ Barnes
--------------- Dalglish
----------------------- Rush
Jaimie Kanwar
mcmanaman in your starting 11?!!no chance
ReplyDeleteSouness is a Leader. Gerrard has pulled off some great saves for the team on his own but imo, he is not a real leader. Mops quite often when the chips are down as can be seen through his body language etc.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Did you watch McManaman play regularly in the 1990s? He was an outstanding player, and LFC have never replaced him. Real Madrid don't just sign anyone. Amazing player - it wasn't his fault he played at a time when LFC weren't likely to win anything significant.
ReplyDeleteA fantastic topic, Jaime. I will never tire of selecting and reselecting my all time Liverpool XI. VERY difficult to debate any choices you made, in fairness.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your best XI? :-)
ReplyDeleteGood article JK,i dont envy the job of comparing them two legends
ReplyDelete@Jaimie are you about Madrid not signing any one? Well tell that to Gravesen and Julien Faubert..
ReplyDeleteThis is arguably why Gerrard may not be seen as the greatest midfielder or player for Liverpool. He wasn't part of a generation of success like almost all of the players in your team were.
ReplyDeleteIf you compare players from the last two whole decades maybe Gerrard is/was the best, but I reckon you can't go further back than that because of the dominating LFC teams of the 70's/80's.
Not a bad selection at all and probably just about my selection as well ... not sure that Grobbelaar was better than Clemence as I did not see him (too young), so yep Grobbie for me. Also, not sure that I would start McManaman on the right as he always played on the left and cut in. I loved Beardsley but he was not at the club long enough to warrant a first team place (bench definitely). Dalglish and Rush no doubt. Souey and Whelan for me in the middle with Stevie G on the right. Hansen and Hyppia no doubt. Nicol and Kennedy no doubt. Barnes for sure. So,
ReplyDeleteGrobbie, Nicol, Hansen, Hyypia, Kennedy, Souey, Whelan, Gerrard, Dalglish, Barnes and Rush. WOW ! WOW ! WOW !
Great line up jamie, id also have liked jimmy case on the benchp
ReplyDeleteGood line-up, but why play Gerrard in a position that he's only played consistently for a year (2005-6), over a dedicated right-sided player. Aces in their places. Like you, I didn't see Clemence play that much, which is why I chose Grobbelaar.
ReplyDeleteAnd owen when he was at his best on the bench too
ReplyDeleteYes, top player. If only there were more spaces on the bench...
ReplyDeletevery, very, close, but for pure 'grab by the throat' and drag 'em through leadership, souness edges it. gerrard, i think, would have got a place in paisley's side as he is as dynamic and free-flowing, as any of the bygone midfielders. i loved and still tell younger fans, just how great souness was (apart from his days at the now defunct ***gers!). it saddens me greatly that he sullied his reputation, when he became our manager. not only for dismantling a side (albeit an ageing side that did need restructure), and buying such inferior dross, kosma, piecnik, stewart, walters etc. his ill-judged interview in the s*n, destroyed his reputation forever in my eyes. his involvement with the now deceased ***gers killed my admiration for him too.
ReplyDeletewhenever ive seen souness talk about gerrard he said he would get into any liverpool team in any era!!
ReplyDeleteShowing my age here, but Clem was absolutely awesome, although a different type altogether from Grob. However, I would say Grobbelaar just shades it for me due to his amazing passion! Good team by the way. If only............
ReplyDeleteEmlyn.....?
ReplyDeleteMadrid legends.
ReplyDeleteAlmost right but imo Ray clemence just notched Grobbelar and i would have had Jan molby instead of Whelan who i think was one of our unsung heroes for me.
ReplyDeleteI know he dovetailed towards the end, but Torres is the fastest striker to score 50 goals for Liverpool. Understandably, his shocking dip in form will always be remembered but he was awesome for the first 2 years.
ReplyDeleteKeegan would've walked into any Liverpool side even if not in his favoured position
ReplyDeleteAaagh, yes. I knew there was someone I forgot. I may have to replace Hamann with Hughes...
ReplyDeleteWhat a line up. For me Gerrard is the best mid we ever had, but I will admit i`m looking at it through tinted glasses. Been a Liverpool fan for about 27 years, but the last 10 stick in my mind stronger, so that is why I`m going for Gerrard.
ReplyDeleteWould be interesting to see how that line up would do today. Got some amazing players in there.
Steven gerrad is one best midfielder in the world give Liverpool class player like old time and just see how well he can play...in today's squad he only class player all are young inexperienced nd good talent for state a class of players.. get him squad where every is class player nd I still know he will score more goals den any orther midfielder in epl..
ReplyDeleteSouness was the ultimate hard man midfielder. Which today we lack. McMahon was an able replacement but not quiet the Souness.
ReplyDeleteHe was pivotal in breaking down attacks from oppositions in MF. I used to love his duels with Bryan Robson and the MU team at that era. Classic
Gutted! I never witnessed Souness grace the Anfield pitch! Have seen clips but not enough.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to attempt to do my best XI as I am not familiar enought with the pre 90's players although I am very aware of them.
Remember the tackle souey did when he joined rangers? I think it was on his debut, jesus it was criminal! I,d have him as our best midfielder ever though but like an earlier poster stated its a shame he came back as manager & sold his soul to the toilet paper
ReplyDeleteWhat's your best XI from your lifetime?
ReplyDeleteAgreed. he was an awful manager. Everything was downhill from there on till today actually. He got the ball rolling for us. Down all the way
ReplyDeleteNever really saw Souness play so cant really comment I guess. But for me Gerrard is an absolute legend, he has led the team to win trophies. What more could you want.
ReplyDelete4 3 3 clem nicol smith hansen hughes gerrard souness barnes keegan rush dagliesh, subs only one fairclough!
ReplyDeleteI've been lucky enough to watch them both play and for me it's Souness by a country mile.
ReplyDeleteCool.
ReplyDeleteErmmm.... Let's see...
GK- Itanje
FB-Vignal
CB-Xavier
CB-Heggem
FB-Koncheski
DMC-Ferri
MC-Poulsen
AMC-Vitor Flora
LW-Leto
RW-Nunez
ST-Meijer
Manager -Roy Hodgson
;oP
Pretty much agree with you but I'd have Phil Neal in there at left back banging in penalties and Steve Heighway on the bench!
ReplyDeleteOops meant left back for Neal!
ReplyDeletei watched him and he would not even get on the bench m8
ReplyDeleteNow that is a team to be feared. Imagine the safe hands of Itanje, and the pace of Koncheski, with the tatics of Roy. We can all dream huh.
ReplyDeletecraig johnson was a joy to watch,as was molby two players,who would get into my squad ahead of mcmanaman also alan kennedy and ray houghton
ReplyDeleteI unfortunately never had the pleasure of watching Souness regularly though my old man loved watching him play. From what I've read, watched etc. there's no argument that Gerrard is the most technically gifted Englishman (and probably Brit) to have lived so far. From heading the ball, to reading the play both defensively and offensively, to striking the ball he's got it all, so from that perspective for me Gerrard is better. I think the scots will inevitably be bias towards Souness as the English/scouse will be to Stevie G! Always been told Souness was the first real holding midfield player to grace English football, like an 80's Busquets but with more aggression!
ReplyDeleteI might change my mind after 5 seconds but for now, I would have to go with
ReplyDeleteGrobbelaar, Nicol, Hansen, Hyypia, Kennedy, Dalglish, Souness, Molby, Barnes, Fowler, Rush.Subs: Clemence, Lawrenson, Hunt, Hughes, Gerrard, Keegan.
Jesus, Too difficult.
Very unfortunate not to have witness most of the LFC icons of Golden Era, too young for it. But I hope to see new Legends and new Icons in near future and witness LFC Rise Again. YNWA
ReplyDeleteSubs?
ReplyDeleteI think it helps to hype Stevie's case that he has spent a lot of his career at LFC playing alongside average players, whereas it was harder for Souness to stand out, even though he was just as good, as he was playing in a better team. On top of that, what he did in his spell as manager of the club left bit of a bitter taste for some fans in relation to Souness me thinks
ReplyDeleteYou're playing Heggem out of position.
ReplyDeleteI had to tell you, because otherwise it is the perfect team.
I'd have to go 4-3-3 and play Gerrard, Souness and McDermott in the middle.
ReplyDeletegerrard is a better player but souness was a better leader ......thats why id opt for souness...if a player struggled souness was there to help and encourage
ReplyDeleteI always wonder how people decide these things. I guess it all depends on what are important traits in a player for you personally. Personally I don't see the point in comparing good with good. It's like with the whole Messi/Ronaldo thing. Messi always gets the popular vote because he is a more likeable person, or at least comes across as such. But based on what can you definitely say that one fantastic player is better than another, especially when they're a couple of generations apart.
ReplyDeleteyes i remember him well,i've been watchin the reds since the early 80's,goin to the matches since mid 90s when he was in his prime,macca was a great dribbler with excellent skills but more often than not very poor end product,if you're talkin about a best eleven in your memory of watchin the reds(you say early 80s above)then maybe..but all time best starting eleven??surely not a chance..
ReplyDeletejk for a bit of humour do us your worst 11??
ReplyDeletehypia ???
ReplyDelete---------------- Luzi
ReplyDeleteDegen - Kvarme - Piechnik - Krompkamp
Nunez -- Diao -- Ferri --- Carter
P.Stewart -- Dundee
I know trophies and duration of stay matter a lot while considering best- ever teams .
ReplyDeleteBut to not mention Luis Suarez among the elites is unfair !!
And last season he was like Hercules . the guy had both quantity and quality in his goals .
I started supporting Liverpool from 97-98 and in all this time d one player who has made to stood up and clap every game is Luis Suarez