When discussing football's toughest players, former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness is a name that almost always enters the debate. The Scottish icon built a reputation during the 1970s and 1980s as a fearless, uncompromising midfielder who never hesitated to put in a crunching tackle, regardless of the consequences.
Even after moving into management, Souness kept that intimidating image, famously threatening to confront some of his own squad members in the dressing room. Because of his fearsome reputation, the 73-year-old is perfectly qualified to judge the toughest footballers he played alongside. Yet one of the names he once highlighted may surprise many fans.
Graeme Souness as a pundit for Sky Sports Related
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Kenny Dalglish
During an interview with talkSPORT in 2011, Souness explained that Kenny Dalglish ranked among the hardest players he had ever encountered in football. Despite standing only five-foot-eight and being recognised as one of the most technically gifted players of his era, the three-time European Cup winner also possessed remarkable bravery and strength:
"I believe the really tough men are the guys who played up front, because they were playing with their back to a 6ft-plus burly centre half. Kenny Dalglish was a very tough player. In fact, I think Dalglish was one of the hardest players I played with - strong and brave, people tried to kick him every time he went out there."
Dalglish wasn't only considered one of the toughest teammates Souness ever had. In 2016, the former midfielder also stated that the striker was the best British footballer he had ever played alongside, even though the duo occasionally argued whenever Dalglish neglected to pass him the ball.
Souness additionally claimed that he found playing overseas significantly easier than football in England. According to him, the pace, aggression and pressing style in English football were much more demanding than what he experienced during his two-year spell in Italy with Sampdoria.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt — accurate as of 17-05-26.