Jamie Carragher is not shy about giving opinions, even if he doesn't always enjoy others in football having them. In retirement, the pundit has made a name for himself with his strong opinions on the beautiful game.
In fairness, he does so off the back of a pretty impressive career. As one of the best players to ever represent Liverpool, he won the Champions League in 2005, while also getting his hands on two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the UEFA Cup.
An Anfield icon of the early 2000s, Carragher was obviously influenced by Steven Gerrard. In 2005, the club captain was already well on his way to cementing his status as a great, but his teammate felt he had some way to go before reaching the level of one other legendary Liverpool midfielder.
In 2005, Carragher Felt Gerrard Was Not Yet on Souness' Level
"'Souey' had everything"
Speaking to the press, Carragher spoke in glowing terms of Graeme Souness. He said Gerrard had yet to reach his level and claimed the Scottish icon was 'like Roy Keane and Glenn Hoddle rolled into one'. He explained:
"'Souey' had everything. You don't see many players who can put their foot in and also dictate a game in the way he could. It's not just about tackling; it's about passing too. Obviously Steven Gerrard is a great player and maybe in years to come he can compare to Souness, but I've seen videos of Graeme and he was probably more like Roy Keane and Glenn Hoddle rolled into one."
While many would feel Gerrard has since surpassed Souness' legacy, there is always an asterisk against the Englishman's name. After all, like Carragher, he never managed to win the Premier League.
Souness played in a period of immense success for the Anfield outfit, winning the old English First Division on five occasions. The Scottish legend also won the European Cup three times, which is an improvement on Gerrard's single Champions League triumph. But football isn't all about trophies, and Gerrard's all-action, Roy of the Rovers style of play had a profound impact on many.
Kenny Dalglish, Andrew Robertson and Graeme Souness Related
10 Greatest Scottish Players in Football History [Ranked]
Scotland have produced some true icons of the game and the very best of them have been ranked.
Carragher Would Later Rank Gerrard As His No.1 Liverpool
Also had Mohamed Salah in his top five
All these years on, Carragher has since made it clear that he holds Gerrard alongside Souness when it comes to the best footballers to ever play for the Reds. Indeed, in 2024, he named both men inside his all-time top five Liverpool stars, with the Englishman his no.1:
"I would say Mo Salah is in the top five players to ever play for Liverpool. I would go Steven Gerrard, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Ian Rush and I'd put Mo Salah in fifth position. That's how highly I rate him, that's how special this guy is."
Supporters will always differ on exactly where each player sits on the podium of Liverpool greats, but both Gerrard and Souness undoubtedly deserve to be in the conversation. The Englishman will fondly be remembered as one of the finest to put on a Three Lions shirt, and the same can be said of the Scot in regards to his own country.
The Reds are fortunate to have had two players of the quality to represent them with such distinction.