Graeme Souness believes he would be a big hit in today’s modern game. AFP Photo

Paul Kennedy

Graeme Souness was one hell of a player. He was fierce. Tough in the tackle, composed in the centre of the pitch and had a fabulous eye for goal.

He was one of my all-time favourite Liverpool players, making 358 appearances for the Reds during a six-year spell from 1978 to 1984, winning the league five times and three European cups.

I’ve tried to wipe out the memories I have of him returning to the club as manager when things didn’t go so well. Something Souness himself openly admits.

This week, speaking on talkSPORT radio in the UK, the Scot said something that made my ears prick up and gave me food for thought.

Souness was asked how he would fare playing in today’s game, as opposed to the 70s and 80s when he ruled the roost.

In typical Souness style, he replied: “It would be a doddle.”

In other words, he was saying despite the game changing beyond recognition since he last laced up his boots, he would find playing in the modern style a walk in the park.

And who am I to argue with him?

But it got me thinking that if Souness would find it easy playing in the Premier League now, how would today’s crop of top midfielders manage back in his day?

Football in the 1970s and 80s was far harder. Tackles were tougher and referees more willing to turn a blind eye to the odd elbow in the face.

I look at the likes Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, a player I really like, or Martin Odegaard at Arsenal, technically one of the best midfielders around, and ask myself how would they have done on a cold night in February 1985 away at Coventry City?

For a start the pitch would be more akin to a cow patch instead of today’s neatly manicured surfaces, and protection from match officials would be virtually non-existent.

Grealish would have been kicked off the park and Odegaard would find himself with zero time on the ball before being clattered by a no-nonsense donkey of a defender.

I’m not knocking these players, or any other of today’s crop, but as fit and brilliant as many of them are, put them on the pitch 40 years ago and they wouldn’t stand a chance.

Souness on the other hand, or the likes of George Best, Gary Lineker, Johan Cruff or even the late, great Diego Maradona, well today they would simply wipe the floor with the current crop. VNS