Erling Haaland poked fun at Jamie Carragher during a CBS Sports interview following Manchester City's 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland cheekily branded Jamie Carragher a "loose cannon" after the former Liverpool defender's fiery response to Mohamed Salah's weekend outburst.
Haaland's first-half spot-kick at the Santiago Bernabeu secured a crucial three points for City against Real Madrid. Following the victory, he sat down with Kate Scott, Thierry Henry, Micah Richards and Carragher on CBS Sports Golazo's programme.
Richards opened the chat by asking how he was feeling, with the Norwegian replying: "I'm getting nervous with Jamie Carragher in the studio!" The studio erupted in laughter before Carragher responded: "You don't need to be nervous, Erling. Don't be nervous."
When quizzed about his preference between Carragher and Real's Antonio Rudiger, who had proved a formidable adversary in the Spanish capital, Haaland quipped: "I mean, I think I have to say Rudiger now because Carragher is a bit of a loose cannon now."
Following a brief chat about Haaland's recent appearance on the Rest is Football podcast, Carragher invited the City frontman onto his own show, Stick To Football, alongside Roy Keane - who famously clashed with Haaland's father, Alf-Inge.
"I mean Jamie Carragher in this moment, and Roy Keane, I think I need to bring my father," he responded. The CBS Sports Golazo panel burst into laughter before the former Liverpool star declared: "It's a deal!"
Carragher has found himself at the heart of the controversy surrounding Salah this week, following the striker's post-match interview last Saturday. Salah stirred up uncertainty over his future at Anfield after being benched for three consecutive matches by manager Arne Slot.
The ex-Liverpool defender, now a pundit for Sky Sports and CBS Sports, didn't mince words when discussing Salah on Monday Night Football.
"I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game," Carragher declared. "Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst, I do not think it was.
"I think whenever Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he's done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it is choreographed by him and his agent to cause maximum damage and to strengthen his own position.
"He did that 12 months ago and I called him out on this show about it. He played on the heartstrings of the Liverpool supporters. Liverpool were top of the league and he'd scored the winning goal at Southampton.
"That was the time to come out and put pressure on the Liverpool ownership. For the rest of the season you have banners in the crowd saying 'Give Mo his dough'. He's chosen this weekend to do this now and he's waited for a bad result, they've conceded a last minute goal.
"The Liverpool supporters, the manager, the whole club feels like it is in the gutter at the moment, and he's chosen that time to go for the manager and maybe try and get him sacked. That's the way I felt about it."
Despite his outburst, Carragher expressed regret on Tuesday following Liverpool's victory over Inter. He stated: "Mo, I apologise I've upset you. I love you as the Liverpool player, but you just need to behave yourself off the pitch."
Shmonny
15
After you realize there's food at home after playing
Vonbceklot
9
try as I may to find reason to vilify Carragher, I think he's absolutely right this time. Salah was very deliberate and calculated in his timing and words aimed at maximum impact.... but I think he miscalculated... he obviously didn't expect this backlash.... he's a very good player and has given a lot to Liverpool but he must desist from playing the "emotional" "victim" card at the detriment of others...