Jamie Carragher has come under fire for comments on the African Cup of Nations following Liverpool’s straightforward 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday.
The Reds took a big step towards a first Premier League title in five years after beating their rivals at the Etihad Stadium following efforts from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
After the game, pundits in the Sky Sports studio were quick to hail Salah.
Yet Carragher then appeared to take aim at the African Cup of Nations by saying that the fact he plays for Egypt was a potential obstacle to him winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
Jamie Carragher has come under fire for comments on the African Cup of Nations following Liverpool’s straightforward 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday
SKY
“I think the problem (is) the fact he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such, or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament,” he said.
“Normally, the player who excels in that, like Vini Jr and (Kylian) Mbappe right now, Real Madrid looking really good going for the Champions League.
“Liverpool will be in that conversation, but right now (Los Blancos) are certainly the frontrunner.”
Carragher then proceeded to ask Micah Richards whether he thinks the Egypt will be in contention to win the World Cup next year.
JUST IN:Lionel Messi grabs coach by the neck and screams at referee as Inter Miami star loses temper
“No, but AFCON is big, isn’t it?” said the Sky pundit.
“You remember when him and [Sadio] Mane was going for it and…”
But Carragher then appeared to shut down his colleague by saying ‘Oh God’.
Daniel Sturridge was quick to retort to his former Liverpool team-mate. The ex-striker said: “It’s a fact. It’s a fact. It’s a fact.
READ MORE: Tennis legend’s wife calls Donald Trump a ‘joke’ as trans athletes White House row erupts
Liverpool beat Man City 2-0 on Sunday with Mohamed Salah the star of the show
PA
“If you win the Euros or Copa America it’s deemed to be big so the AFCON is in the same level.”
However, football fans on social media have now ripped into Carragher and accused him of disrespecting AFCON.
“Great example of the Eurocentric mindset,” said one user.
A second stated: “If CR7 or Messi can be a contenders for a Ballon d’or for winning a continental trophy with their respective nations, why can’t Salah be contender after winning AFCON? It is people like him and others like him who say they’re about football but only when it comes to Europe, sad.”
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Mohamed Salah comments speak volumes after scoring and assisting in Liverpool win over Man City
- Snooker star given suspended ban and faces paying £21,000 following abusive and aggressive behaviour
- Travis Kelce ‘has already made retirement decision’ as Chiefs star considers future after Super Bowl loss
Another opined: “AFCON is the only international continental tournament that’s played DURING the league season. No respect given to the African nations that have given us some of the best talent we’ve ever had in Europe.”
A fourth said: “Total disgrace.”
And a fifth fumed: “Starting to dislike this guy now.”
Salah, meanwhile, was delighted after helping Liverpool move 11 points clear at the top of the table.
Mohamed Salah has been runner-up at the African Cup of Nations twice throughout his career (pictured in 2022 after Egypt lost to Senegal)
GETTY
“It is incredible. It is a very hard place to come and play here,” he said.
“They are a tough team and they have an incredible manager I am glad in the end we won the game.
“It is special. Especially when you are in the title race, it is incredible.
“Hopefully we keep calm because sometimes the pressure gets to us. We try to win each game.”