Souness blames grass for Liverpool performance in 7-2 mauling by Aston Villa

Graeme Souness blamed Liverpool's poor performance against Aston Villa in part on the grass, insisting all top sides want to play on a "fast pitch".

Villa ran out 7-2 winners against the reigning Premier League champions, who looked way below their best and a shadow of the team that won the title by 18 points last season.

Ollie Watkins hit a superb hat-trick for the hosts, while Jack Grealish grabbed a brace and John McGinn and Chelsea loanee Ross Barkley also got in on the act.

The Reds' two consolation goals came from Mohamed Salah on a night which saw them outplayed in almost every department, with worrying defensive flaws exposed ruthlessly by Dean Smith's men.

However, Souness suggested Liverpool were struggling to play their normal game due to the state of the pitch after seeing his old club head in at the interval 4-1 down.

The Anfield legend told Sky Sports: "What I would say, Villa, and it's the same for both teams, I think they've left the grass longer than normal to slow Liverpool's movement.

"I did say it's the same for both teams but all the top teams want short grass, fast pitch.

"That doesn't look like a fast pitch to me tonight."

Klopp was in no mood to offerany excuses for his side's display though, as he played down the significance of Alisson and Sadio Mane's absence post-match.

"There is no need for one excuse, absolutely not," he said. "Whatever team we could have lined up tonight, I wouldn’t expect to lose 7-2, to be honest – 100 per cent.

"It’s not necessary, it’s absolutely not necessary. I said it in the beginning and it’s true,Aston Villadid really, really well, but we helped as well."

Liverpool will now look ahead to a crucial Merseyside derby meeting with league leaders Everton on October 17.