Carragher issues on-air apology to Salah during CBS exchange
Jamie Carragher publicly rowed back on his criticism of Mo Salah during CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage, offering a candid apology live on air after a tense few days surrounding the Liverpool forward’s future. The moment unfolded shortly after the Reds’ narrow win at Inter Milan, a night when Salah was conspicuously absent from Arne Slot’s squad.
Carragher’s initial remarks on Monday Night Football had been forthright. He questioned the timing and intent behind Salah’s fiery comments following Liverpool’s draw at Leeds United, suggesting the forward was seeking leverage and placing unnecessary pressure on the club. Yet, 24 hours later and under the gaze of the CBS panel, the former defender shifted his stance.
Carragher revisits criticism amid Richards’ challenge
Sitting alongside Micah Richards, Thierry Henry and presenter Kate Scott, Carragher faced a direct invitation from Richards to reconsider his words. The exchange was light-hearted on the surface but carried genuine weight given the controversy simmering around Salah’s future.
Richards asked: “Would you like to apologise to Mo, and just say sorry for any disrespect? It just comes from passion, you’re a fan. Go on, just say it down the lens.”
Carragher did not hesitate. “Mo, I apologise if I’ve upset you,” he said. “I love you as a Liverpool player, but you just need to behave yourself off the pitch.”
Richards responded with: “That’s fair, that looked very genuine,” before offering Carragher a handshake as the panel wrapped up the segment.
Salah absence fuels uncertainty at Liverpool
Salah did not feature in Liverpool’s 1–0 victory at San Siro, with Slot opting to leave him out following the fallout from the weekend. It added a fresh layer of intrigue to the situation, particularly with the Egyptian international set to depart shortly for AFCON duty. Liverpool face Brighton at Anfield on Saturday, and as of now, there is no clarity on whether Salah will return to the matchday squad.
Amid the backdrop of a tight Premier League title race and ongoing debate about Salah’s long-term future, Carragher’s revised position felt significant. His earlier claim that Salah had chosen a moment of collective disappointment to intensify pressure on the club had sparked discussion across broadcasts and fan circles alike.
Carragher previously said: “Whenever Mo stops in a mixed zone, which he’s done four times in eight years, it’s choreographed with him and his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his position. He did that 12 months ago and I called him out on this show.”
The renewed apology, though brief, appeared to soften what had become an escalating saga.
Richards’ role in defusing tensions
Richards’ intervention played a notable part in steering the conversation away from confrontation. His relationship with Carragher and regular light-touch humour on CBS often breaks tense moments, but this instance served a more pointed purpose. Encouraging Carragher to address Salah directly helped dial down the narrative surrounding criticism of Liverpool’s key forward.
With AFCON looming and Liverpool navigating a demanding period, the club will hope the issue settles quickly. Whether Salah returns against Brighton or waits until after international duty may give a clearer indication of where relations currently stand.
