Graeme Souness 'nearly crashed car' after hearing what Martin Keown said about Alan Hansen

Graeme Souness claimed he almost crashed his car while listening to Martin Keown discussing his former Liverpool teammates.

Keown, the ex-Arsenal defender, was scrutinizing the impact of the back-pass rule on a 2021 talkSPORT broadcast, and maintained that it has significantly elevated the game due to players like Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson formerly exploiting time by feeding the ball back to keeper Bruce Grobbelaar. This prompted an irate Souness, who was part of the triumphant Liverpool team standing alongside Hansen and Lawrenson in the '80s, to confront Keown over the phone despite being mid-drive.

"I nearly crashed my car, Martin, after what you said," Souness said. "I understand there have been improvements to the game, without a shadow of a doubt, but I totally disagree with you in terms of Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson.

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"You could've picked any other partnership that was playing football at that time and called them out on what they would do by going back to the goalkeeper at every opportunity when put under pressure. But you've named the best two footballing center-halves that arguably this country has ever seen!"

Keown stood his ground, asserting that the duo "could've attacked more" and retorted: "They could've picked any pass they wanted, but they went back to the goalkeeper."

Souness was having none of it, countering with passion: "Martin, I played with them for about 300 games! I know how good they were. You couldn't get the ball off them, they were midfield players in disguise, that's how technically good they were.

"The last thing they would do is go back because every part of their training was geared to go forward. You made it sound, for somebody who's not seen them play, like they couldn't play. That's how it sounded."

In a somber update on Sunday afternoon, Liverpool announced that Hansen, aged 68, is "seriously ill" in hospital. The club conveyed its support through a statement: "The club is currently in contact with Alan's family to provide our support at this difficult time, and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and all of the Hansen family."

Hansen's illustrious career at Liverpool began in 1977, spanning 14 years and filled with silverware. His accolades include eight First Division titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and three European Cups.

During most of that era, he formed an impenetrable defensive partnership with Lawrenson, now 67, as they became one of English football's most revered centre-back pairings. Souness, whose Liverpool tenure ran from 1978 to 1984, also boasts an impressive collection of honours, including three European Cups and five First Division titles among his 12 major trophies.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.