Jamie Carragher branded 'disrespectful' and 'naive' by ex-Liverpool teammate as AFCON row escalates

Former Liverpool star who played alongside Jamie Carragher has reacted to his controversial comments about Mohamed Salah and AFCON.

Carragher caused controversy on Sunday afternoon during the aftermath of Liverpool's 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League.

When speaking on Sky Sports about Salah's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, he touched on international tournaments.

However, Carragher was quickly interrupted by fellow pundit Micah Richards, who said: "Just on you saying AFCON is not a major tournament. A lot of people at home will disagree with that. AFCON is a major tournament."

As the pair argued on the point, Carragher said: "But Egypt aren’t going to win the World Cup, are they?" To which Richards replied: "No, but AFCON is big, isn’t it? Remember when he (Salah) and Mane were going for it?" Carragher was then spotted shaking his head and muttered: "Oh god."

Carragher faced huge criticism on the back of the show, and the former England international took to social media on Monday night to clarify his comments.

Meanwhile, he also got into a row on social media with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who Carragher branded as a 'clown'.

Jamie Carragher's former Liverpool teammate reacts to Mo Salah and AFCON comments

Speaking about the situation on beIN SPORTS, Carragher's former teammate, Jason McAteer, said: "I think it's naive and on top of that, I think it's disrespectful. Just because the Premier League is played in England, it doesn't mean it doesn't go out to the rest of the world.

"Football is played all over the world by millions and millions of people and each region has its own competition, and it needs to be treated with respect."

“I like him as a player, but I completely disagree, AFCON is big for African players”
Mohammed Saadoun Al-Kuwari and @MCATEER4 react to @Carra23 on AFCON#Liverpool #AFCON #LFC pic.twitter.com/UwRn2ouKo1

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 24, 2025

He continued: "There have been some great players that have come from this region, we have Mo Salah!

"I think Jamie maybe sometimes might think they take him at a crucial time in the Premier League but that's just the nature of the beast and you've got to go with it and respect it."

Salah and Liverpool will be back in Premier League action on Wednesday night when they take on Newcastle United at Anfield.