Graeme Souness – legendary midfield general, Liverpool icon, and a man who defined what it meant to be tough on the football pitch during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Most fans remember Souness for his fearless tackles, his commanding presence in the heart of midfield, and his fierce determination to lead his team to victory. But beyond the rough-and-tumble of his footballing persona, Souness had another side to him – one of class, style, and undeniable charisma.
Above | European Cup Semi Final Second Leg match at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.
Bayern Munich 1 v Liverpool 1. (Liverpool go through on away goals rule after a goalless first leg).
Graeme Souness celebrates at the end of the match as they reach their third European Cup Final.
22nd April 1981.
When you look at the old photographs of Souness, you might expect to see a man covered in mud, sleeves rolled up, eyes full of determination, and the unmistakable aura of a player who didn’t mind getting stuck in. But instead, you find something else – Souness looking downright cool, exuding a sense of fashion that makes you wonder if he moonlighted as a model when he wasn’t bossing the midfield. His impeccable sense of style offers a glimpse into a side of the man that’s all about charm, elegance, and a hint of swagger.
Souness made his name at Liverpool in the late 1970s and early 1980s, where he led the club through one of its most successful eras. A midfield maestro who could do it all—pass, tackle, score, and dictate the pace of a game – Souness helped Liverpool to five league titles, three European Cups, and four League Cups. While his performances on the pitch were fierce, his fashion off the field was cool and calculated.
When Souness left Liverpool in 1984 for a new challenge in Italy with Sampdoria, he brought his midfield tenacity to Serie A, but he also took his style game to the next level.
These were before the days when footballers seamlessly transitioned from sportsmen to celebrities, and Souness was ahead of the curve. He embraced the elegance of Italian fashion, wearing tailored blazers, stylish polos, and even the occasional leather jacket, all while maintaining that unmistakable aura of tough-guy charm. It’s almost as if the rugged Scottish enforcer of Anfield transformed into a gentleman footballer under the Italian sun.
Despite his fearsome reputation as a hard-tackling midfield dynamo, the photos of Graeme Souness off the pitch tell a different story. They reveal a man with a sense of style that is classic yet effortlessly cool. It’s a reminder that, while he could intimidate his opponents with a single stare on the pitch, off it, he had a smile that could light up a room and a sense of grace that was rarely seen in the world of 70s and 80s football.
Below | Graeme Souness on holiday in Majorca. June 1978
Below | Graeme Souness of Middlesbrough takes part in a fashion shoot. February 1975.
Below | 1984 European Cup Final at Stadio Olimpico, Rome. Liverpool 1-1 As Roma. Liverpool won 4-2 on penalties. Liverpool players left to right: Michael Robinson, Graeme Souness, David Hodgson, Phil, Neal, Mark Lawrenson, Sammy Lee and Craig Johnston celebrate with the trophy on a lap of honour after the match. 30th May 1984.
Below | Champagne and a bath for Graeme Souness and Terry McDermott of Liverpool after today’s championship triumph. May 1980
Above | Scotland players Roy Aitken and Graeme Souness in Mexico May 1986.
Above | Liverpool captain Graeme Souness back in the dressing room after his sides 1 – 1 draw with Norwich. Liverpool had been presented with the Canon League Trophy before the match at Anfield. May 1984
Above | World cup 1978 Group 4, Scotland 1 Peru 3. Graeme Souness (unused sub) at the start of the match.
Above | Graeme Souness – April 1978.
Below | Inside the famous boot room at Anfield. Left to right: Phil Thomspon, Roy Evans, new manager Graeme Souness, Ronnie Moran, Phil Boersma and club captain Ronnie Whelan. May 1991.
Souness’s style was never about being flashy; it was all about subtle elegance. He had that old-school charisma that’s hard to define – part James Bond, part Scottish rogue, with a dash of football legend thrown in for good measure. Those photographs are a tribute to a man who could transition from the trenches of a midfield battle to the front row of a fashion show without missing a beat.
Today, Graeme Souness remains a respected figure in football punditry, his voice carrying the same authority and insight as his days on the pitch. But for those of us who enjoy looking back, those images of Souness looking cool and fashionable are a testament to his versatility – not just as a footballer but as a man of style. He might have been a hardman in the midfield, but in those moments captured on film, he was a gentleman of the game.
Graeme Souness: a midfield legend with an eye for a pass, a taste for success, and a flair for fashion. The man who showed us that true toughness is never just about how hard you tackle but also about how well you carry yourself when the final whistle blows.
Above | Liverpool footballer Graeme Souness relaxes at home with a cup of tea. January 1982
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