Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has taken aim at Arsenal star Bukayo Saka in an extraordinary attack following the forward's performance against Nottingham Forest

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has accused Bukayo Saka of “cheating” in an astonishing attack on the Arsenal star.

The former Reds midfielder and manager was far from happy following Saka’s performance during the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, which saw Mikel Arteta’s side stay three points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Ex-Liverpool full-back Neco Williams received a yellow card during that game after being perceived to have brought down Saka, despite having made minimal contact. Souness has now suggested the England international’s reaction was part of a pattern of trying to influence match officials through what he deems to be simulation.

Souness directed his ire at Saka during an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored show, which left his Arsenal-supporting host infuriated.

“Your man Saka dives all over the place. I don’t want to hear about him. The minute he looks like losing possession, he’s down,” he said.

“He simulates a foul. Anyone who simulates a foul in my book would be a cheat. He dives when he should be staying on his feet. He’s not alone. So Saka gets tackled, he screams as he’s going down.

“The referee thinks there’s nothing in that but wait a minute, he’s stayed down. And then worse than that, everyone in the immediate area – all Arsenal players – put their hands up and scream foul.

“The referee at that point panics and blows his whistle when it wasn’t a foul – his first instinct was the right one. But he blows a foul because he’s thinking, wait a minute, something I’m not understanding here.

“Simulation is a form of cheating, yes. But it’s all over football today.

Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kit

Liverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.

“If you asked 100 people what is it you dislike about the modern game, 50 per cent would say simulation, another 50 per cent would say VAR.”

Despite Souness’ complaints, Arsenal’s win over Forest means the Gunners remain the closest challengers to City at the top of the table, with Liverpool sitting six points further back in fifth.

And with the prospect of serious punishments hanging over City, Jamie Carragher sees Arteta's side as the clear favorites for the title.

“I still see Arsenal as the team to stop,” the former defender told Sky Sports. “If they dropped more points on Sunday they could have been five behind Man City.

“We obviously don’t know what’s going to happen with City, we have to take it as it is right now.

“Arsenal would have been a bit worried about being five points behind someone like Man City and dropping points in quick succession but they got the win.”