Richard Keys pulls no punches after Jamie Carragher's Mo Salah claim - 'Unforgivable ignorance'

Richard Keys has targeted those seemingly dismissing Mohamed Salah's Africa Cup of Nations involvement in what has been read by some as a dig at Jamie Carragher.

Carragher discussed Salah's Ballon d'Or prospects over the weekend as the Egyptian helped move Liverpool one step closer to the Premier League title. Salah scored one and set up a second as Arne Slot's side won 2-0 at Manchester City to move 11 points clear of closest challengers Arsenal, albeit having played a game more.

"I think the problem (is) the fact he's with Egypt, and he's probably not playing in the major tournament as such, or maybe got a great chance of winning," former Liverpool defender Carragher said on Sky Sports. Reigning Ballon d'Or winner Rodri took the award after winning Euro 2024 with Spain, while Lionel Messi's 2023 triumph came after his World Cup success with Argentina.

Salah has yet to lead Egypt to AFCON glory, but was part of the team which reached the final in February 2022. And Qatar-based Keys - while not naming Carragher directly - has called into question those in Europe who struggle to give due credit to international football in other continents.

"Seriously. What ignorance. Unforgivable ignorance," Keys wrote on his blog when addressing suggestions Salah has never been in the running for a major tournament. "Time and again down the years I’ve referenced the arrogance of so-called experts that live and work within the borders of the U.K. who think nothing beyond their territory matters.

"It’s why our World Cup here in Qatar was dismissed by so many of them - despite it going on to be the best ever - climaxing with the best games of football I’ve ever seen. ‘Qatar?’, they asked. ‘Not England? Why? How could that happen?’"

Keys sung the praises of Salah when putting together an all-time Liverpool XI. "Right now - Salah is the best player in the world," he added. "He’s a Ballon d’Or shoe-in. That makes him Liverpool’s best ever in my view."

Do you agree with Richard Keys? Let us know in the comments section

Keys wasn't the only one to talk up the AFCON in the light of Carragher's comments. Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge were sat with Carragher in the Sky Sports studio and spoke up amid fans' annoyance on social media.

"Just to say, AFCON is a major tournament because a lot of people are at home saying 'they aren't taking it serious'," Richards said, before pointing to the battle between Salah and former team-mate Sadio Mane when Senegal pipped Egypt in 2021. "AFCON is a big tournament, just so you know."

Sturridge agreed, saying: "It's a fact. It's a fact. If you win the Euros or Copa America it's deemed to be big so the AFCON is in the same level."

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