THIS IS LIVERPOOL’S BEST CHANCE TO WIN TITLE SINCE KENNY IN 1990
REDS GREAT’S RALLY CRY GRAEME SOUNESS EXCLUSIVE
And the Reds legend is so enthralled by Jurgen Klopp’s men that he reckons they would give the best teams in Liverpool’s illustrious history a run for their money.
Souness made 359 appearances for the club between 1977 and 1984 and led them to the FA Cup during his three years as manager.
He said: “This isn’t just the best chance for Liverpool to win the title since the Premier League started – I’d go further than that.
“I’d say this is the best chance they’ve had since Kenny’s team last won it.
“They’ve got a really healthy group of players – they’re the real deal. They’ve got strength in depth.
“Every manager should always be looking to strengthen, no manager’s happy with his lot, but there’s no obvious weakness in this Liverpool side.
“It’s only a matter of time before they win something.
“If you’re going to win the Premier League this year, you’re going to have to finish above Liverpool. This Liverpool team would give any team from any era a real game.”
The esteem in which Souness holds Klopp is sky-high – not least because of the business he has done lately to take some very special players to Merseyside.
Souness added: “Jurgen Klopp’s a breath of fresh air, he’s different class.
“Whether he’s responsible or he’s part of a committee that’s responsible, the recruitment over the last three or four years has been sensational.
“They’re in great shape. If you’re a supporter of Liverpool, as I am, you’re very excited.
“They’ve signed a top goalkeeper.
“And the back four – Trent Alexander-arnold, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez – they could play a decade together.
“Van Dijk looks as if he could play until he’s 50. And everyone knows about the midfield and attack.” They do indeed. What’s more, Liverpool are winning matches despite the poster boy of their forward play, Mo Salah (above), yet to fully rediscover his brilliant form of last season.
The Reds made it six wins from six this campaign when they beat French giants Paris Saint-germain 3-2 in their Champions League opener on Wednesday – thanks to Roberto Firmino’s late goal.
A seventh win from seven, with the 3-0 Premier League defeat of Southampton yesterday, has given everyone around the club a belief that they really could land the title again at long last.
It’s been 28 years since Liverpool were last crowned champions of England, with Bruce Grobelaar, Alan Hansen, John Barnes, Ian Rush and Co lifting the old Division One trophy.
Souness said: “If you’re winning games, particularly if you’re beating the big teams like Liverpool are, that gives you confidence to keep going.
“For the Champions League, it’s not always the best team that wins it.
“You can get unlucky on a couple of nights or get very lucky on a couple of nights.
“So I don’t think they should prioritise that over the Premier League. They have the potential to win both.”