Liverpool held discussions with Jamie Carragher to discuss his analysis of the club, it has emerged. The Anfield legend delivered a scathing eight-minute critique on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football following Mohamed Salah’s public attack on manager Arne Slot. Following Liverpool’s thrilling 3-3 stalemate at Leeds United, the Egyptian striker stormed into the mixed zone at Elland Road and claimed the club was “throwing him under the bus”, declared he has “no relationship” with Slot and suggested this weekend’s home clash against Brighton could be his swansong for the Reds.
During his outburst, Salah also took a playful swipe at Carragher whilst speaking to bewildered journalists. In the aftermath, Salah was omitted from the Liverpool squad that secured a vital 1-0 triumph over Inter Milan in the Champions League. Just 24 hours after accusing him of attempting to “get the manager sacked,” Carragher issued an on-air apology to Salah whilst simultaneously urging him to “behave yourself off the pitch”.
Nevertheless, additional reports suggest that Salah isn’t the sole Liverpool player who has taken exception to Carragher’s punditry work. According to the Daily Mail, the club conducted what was characterised as a “secret meeting” to address his coverage of Liverpool matters.
This discussion reportedly took place prior to his public spat with Salah and represents a fairly standard practice within the industry. The club had a word with Carragher back in September regarding the tone of some of his analysis.
Nevertheless, he remains willing to speak his mind without holding back. His scathing criticism of Salah went on for eight minutes and saw the defender brand him a “disgrace” whilst also alleging he was attempting to get Slot dismissed.
He also claimed Salah was merely “known as the man who failed at Chelsea” before joining Liverpool, referring to the 33-year-old’s disappointing stint at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho, during which he managed just two goals and three assists in a mere 19 appearances between 2013 and 2015.
Carragher did offer an apology live on CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage, where he regularly works alongside Thierry Henry, Kate Abdo and Micah Richards, but refused to retract any of his statements.
The former England international declared: “Mo, I apologise I’ve upset you. I love you as the Liverpool player, but you just need to behave yourself off the pitch.”
Salah has yet to respond to any of Carragher’s remarks, whether his fierce criticism on Monday Night Football or his subsequent apology on CBS.
It seems Salah isn’t the only Reds player who has grown weary of Carragher’s punditry. The same Mail report also suggested numerous members of the Liverpool squad have become ‘irritated’ by the 47-year-old’s observations.
Carragher has been contacted for comment. The Sky Sports pundit is one of the most prominent football commentators in the UK, with his opinions reaching a vast audience through major platforms.
Reports suggest that the former Liverpool player is content with his work for Sky Sports and US network CBS, with sources affirming that his views are “honest” and “come from a good place”.
His relationship with current Liverpool players mirrors that of Gary Neville and Paul Scholes with Manchester United‘s squad, with rumours that some United players have declined to collaborate with the club legends.
Salah won’t leave for the Africa Cup of Nations until after the Brighton game, leaving room for him and the club to discuss his future. Salah is a known target for Saudi clubs ahead of the January transfer window, but Liverpool haven’t dismissed the possibility of finding a solution for their iconic winger.