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Graeme Souness' reign as Liverpool boss is not remembered with much fondness at Anfield.

After decades of glory and European success, Souness' appointment as manager in 1991 is often considered the point at which things started going downhill for The Reds.

How different it all could have been - if the current Sky Sports' pundit had made a different call on two transfer opportunties.

Souness has revealed that, during his time at Anfield, he turned down opportunities to sign both Peter Schmeichel AND Eric Cantona.

(Image: Getty Images) (Image: Press Association)

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Given that the Danish goalkeeper and the French forward are considered two of the finest players in Premier League history, opting against signing them would reflect poorly on any manager.

However, when that manager was Liverpool boss and the pair went on to be the key figures in making Manchester United the most dominant team in England… well, then that decision starts to look particularly unfortunate.

(Image: Sunday Mirror)

(Image: DAILY RECORD)

"I missed out on two players who went on to become Manchester United legends," Souness told The Sunday Times.

"Ron Yeats, the chief scout then, told me there was a young Danish goalkeeper - Peter Schmeichel - who was a Liverpool fan and willing to pay his own travel and hotel in exchange for some time with us.

"I was trying to ease out Bruce Grobbelaar and that was proving a hassle, plus I had just signed David James, so I thought I could do without a rookie goalkeeper.

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Brexit

(Image: Allsport UK /Allsport)

At that point, you may wish to consider the fact that Peter Schmeichel - the greatest keeper in United history - was so keen to play for LIVERPOOL, that he was willing to pay his own way just to be given an opportunity.

However, before you spend too long on that, think about how Premier League history may now look if Souness had listened to Michel Platini and taken Cantona to Anfield.

(Image: Allsport)

"Eric Cantona was another I missed out on," Souness explains. "We played Auxerre at home and Michel Platini came to see me afterwards. He said he had a player for me, a problem boy but a proper player.

"It was Cantona, but I said the last thing I needed was another problem player. I had 30-pluses I was trying to get out, so I didn't need more hassle. I said I was looking for something else and so it was no thanks."

(Image: PA)

Probably seemed like a good idea at the time…