“I've worked with Mo Salah and Jamie Carragher – this is what I think of Liverpool icon's rant”

Richards questions Carragher

Micah Richards has revealed exactly what he made of Jamie Carragher’s Mohamed Salahrant and why he came to the Liverpoolforward’s defence.

Salah made headlines earlier this month with a bombshell post-game interview in the mixed zone.

Having been dropped to the bench against Leeds United, as well as the two games prior, the Egyptian told reporters he felt he had been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool.

Salah, who signed a new two-year deal with the club in April, added that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had broken down and someone “doesn’t want me at the club”.

Salah went on to hint that Liverpool’s Premier League game against Brighton on December 13 could be his last.

He appeared as a substitute in the 25th minute of that Anfield fixture, doing a lap of honour at full-time before his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations, with his future still very much up in the air.

The two-time Premier League winner’s fiery remarks unsurprisingly brought on the wrath of Reds legend Carragher, who labelled the comments a “disgrace”.

The former defender said during his eight-minute rant on Sky Sports: "When Mo Salah stops in the mixed zone - which he has done four times in eight years - it is choreographed with him and his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position."

The topic was later brought again to Carragher on CBS Sports Golazo, where he was joined by Thierry Henry and Richards.

Former Manchester City right-back Richards fiercely backed Salah by saying he should have been brought on against Leeds, while Carragher backed Slot’s tactical decision not to do so.

As the debate raged on and the pair went back and forth, fellow pundit Henry even tried to lighten the mood by giving both of them a shoulder massage.

They failed to agree before shaking hands after the intense stand-off.

Now, Richards has revealed why he felt the need to protect Salah. He also insisted he enjoys heated debates on-air with Carragher and that doing so keeps the show entertaining.

Richards: “When you see me and Carragher going back and forth there’s never any disrespect, ever. It’s a debate. I love working with him and all the other pundits but it’s not fun or real if we’re all just agreeing. So I don’t mind having a debate.”

He added when asked whether he reached out to Carragher after seeing the Anfield icon’s long Sky Sports rant beforehand:

Richards “No because that’s just his opinion. That’s the good thing about punditry.

“Obviously with me being closer to Salah because he was a former team-mate, I might be more protective on certain issues.

“Because Jamie’s a Liverpool legend he’s going to be more protective of the club because he’s been there.”

“It’s not wrong, that's just his opinion so I enjoy having that difference in opinion. I love it.”

Richards and Salah briefly played together for Fiorentina in 2015, two years before he signed for Liverpool.

The Egyptian was on loan with the Italian side from Chelsea from February until the end of the 2014/15 season, scoring nine goals in 26 appearances, while Richards’ own loan move from City began in the previous September.

The pundit was successful in drawing an apology from Carragher to Salah, however. Following their discussion about Salah's candid remarks,

Richards turned to Carragher and posed the question: “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 responded: “Mo, I apologise I've upset you. I love you as the Liverpool player, but you just need to behave yourself off the pitch.”

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