Jamie Carragher defends Liverpool legacy and takes aim at Mohamed Salah’s conduct

Last Updated on 30 March 2026

Jamie Carragher has hit back at fans following his controversial decision to rank Mohamed Salah outside his top five greatest Liverpool players of all time. The former Reds defender took to X to defend his position after facing heavy backlash over the list.

Carragher stood firm on his Salah ranking, but also took the opportunity to remind his critics of his own playing credentials. The response sparked fresh debate among Liverpool supporters online.

Crucially, though, it was his explanation for dropping Salah that is likely to generate the most discussion, with the pundit making clear his decision went well beyond what happened on the pitch.

Jamie Carragher reminds critics of his own Liverpool legacy

Jamie Carragher was quick to push back on any suggestion his self-placement in the list was arrogant. “I don’t blow my own trumpet as it’s not my style,” he wrote on X, before pointing to a specific achievement to back his case.

He noted that only three Liverpool centre-backs have made the Premier League PFA Team of the Year during the Premier League era: Virgil van Dijk, Sami Hyypia, and himself.

Furthermore, he earned that recognition in 2005/06, competing against a generation of elite defenders including Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and John Terry.”I’m very proud of the fact I was a loud leader who pushed his teammates to be better,” Carragher added.

It was a pointed reminder that his ranking was built on substance, not sentiment.

Off-pitch behaviour the reason Mohamed Salah dropped down Carragher’s list

Beyond defending himself, Carragher also clarified precisely why Salah fell outside his top five. Notably, his average form this season was not the deciding factor.

“I don’t really care about on the pitch as it’s his first average season,” Carragher explained. Instead, he pointed to Salah’s conduct away from matchdays, arguing the Egyptian did not do enough to support the club publicly during difficult moments.

“I’d like him to have spoken more for the club after defeats and not kill the manager publicly,” Carragher said. It is a damning assessment, and one that shifts the debate away from goals and assists, and towards questions of leadership and loyalty at Anfield.