Robin Bairner
Jamie Carragher, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, 2024/25
© IMAGO
Jamie Carragher attracted the anger of Liverpool fans on Sunday when he claimed that Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has been the best Premier League player over the course of the last 18 months – placing the England star ahead of even the Reds’ Mohamed Salah.
Palmer played a starring role for Chelsea on Sunday as they completed a remarkable comeback to beat Tottenham 4-3, propelling them to second in the standings.
After that fixture, Carragher claimed that there is currently no better player in the Premier League – including Salah, whose outstanding performances have helped Liverpool rise to the top of the standings.
In particular, the Egyptian had shone as he dragged the Reds to a 3-3 draw against Newcastle in midweek.
What did Carragher say about Palmer?
“I loved Palmer last season and he’s started this season really well. If you look at his 18 months at Chelsea, I don’t think there’s been a player in the Premier League that’s performed better than him,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“He hasn’t been playing for the best team. When you think of Chelsea’s flair players, you think of Zola and Hazard – I think he’s got more than Zola. And Zola is going to go down as one of the greatest players in the history of Chelsea.”
Liverpool fans took exception to his comments and attacked Carragher on social media, with some claiming that he “hates” Salah and others claiming that the former Anfield defender is “trying too hard”.
Another chipped in: “This is just plain weird from Carra now he’s so neeky with his agendas.”
One more said: “Never thought I'd EVER be saying this but I actually hate Carragher
“Was always a s*** defender and we backed him throughout his career. But in recent months he's been very critical of LFC and that's a no go.”
Carragher was clearly frustrated by the comments and in particular those who took his words out of context.
“Maybe you try harder at putting the full quote out!” he said. “I said he’s been the best player over 18 months which he has in my eyes.
“And you probably know I said that but your desperation for likes & retweets knows no bounds!! Your account is so bad, please stop following me.
He added via a reply: “These people are the oracle now on the game! Couldn’t kick a ball down marsh lane but they KNOW the game better than anyone!”
Salah is currently heading for free agency at Liverpool, with the Egypt international poised to depart at the end of the season after recently claiming that he is “more out than in” at Anfield.