Jamie Carragher responds immediately after being called out by Pep Guardiola for Erling Haaland claim

Jamie Carragher took to social media after Pep Guardiola was asked about the ex-Liverpool star's recent claims about Erling Haaland.

On Wednesday night, former Liverpool man Carragher questioned why Haaland was not picked to start Manchester City's Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

Speaking on CBS Sports, he said: "So let me work this out. Haaland has gone to the manager this morning and said he’s not fit? Do you think that has got something to do with Rudiger? Is that because Rudiger is playing?

"He’s on the bench so he can’t be injured. Is it Rudiger-itis? Is that what we’re saying here?"

Haaland was clearly missed by City as Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick to seal a 3-1 win on the night, with Madrid advancing to the round of 16 after winning 6-3 on aggregate.

Ahead of City's Premier League match against Liverpool, Guardiola was asked to comment on Carragher's claims about Haaland.

He replied: "Oh, God. Did he say that? Jamie Carragher said that? Oh God.

"Don’t laugh. I don’t know why he makes that so suspicious. Did he say that Haaland didn’t want to play the game? It’s not nice - and it’s not true. He (Haaland) was crazy to play the game. He had a problem with his knee and he could not play."

After the clip of Guardiola went viral on social media, Carragher was quick to reply as he hit out at the journalist who asked the question and claimed it was all a joke.

Erling Haaland starts on the bench for Manchester City after telling Pep he doesn't feel 100% this morning 👀@Carra23, @MicahRichards, and Thierry Henry weigh in on City without their top scorer 👇 pic.twitter.com/IQQfz6b9Ye

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2025

Jamie Carragher hits back over Erling Haaland claim

The former defender wrote: "It was a joke to wind up Micah Richards as that’s the nature of our show on CBS. and you know that @MullockSMirror but you just thought let’s get a big headline for my piece! Typical Sunday papers!!!"

Simon Mullock then hit back with: "I’ve watched it again. It doesn’t sound like a joke. For a start, no-one laughed. There was also a number of other reporters in the room. None of them suggested it might have been a joke."

In response, Carragher added: "In the room with reporters?? It was on tv. My jokes don’t always land!!

"But we both know I was winding Micah up & you’ve seen a chance to get a headline. Just admit it."