Erling Haaland Delivers Savage Dig at Jamie Carragher in Mohamed Salah Drama

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland took a playful jab at Jamie Carragher recently, calling the vocal analyst a "wild card" who now makes him "anxious" after witnessing his brutal critique of Mohamed Salah.

Following Salah's harsh seven-and-a-half-minute criticism of Liverpool matters last weekend, Carragher responded with over eight minutes of his own devastating analysis of the Egyptian striker.

The former defender made a qualified attempt at an apology to Salah during a broadcast earlier this week, but his track record was already known when Haaland appeared via video link in the CBS Sports studio on Wednesday evening.

Coming off his composed penalty conversion that secured Manchester City's victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, Haaland quipped: "Oh, I'm feeling anxious now seeing Jamie Carragher in the studio..."

Carragher attempted to rise above the background of hearty laughter by calling out: "You don't need to feel anxious, Erling. Don't worry."

Micah Richards had ceased shaking his co-pundit to interject with some characteristically sharp questioning. "Haaland, who's your pick? [Antonio] Rüdiger or Carragher?"

"Wow," City's striker said with a sharp intake of breath. "I think I have to choose Rüdiger now because Carragher is somewhat [of a] wild card these days, so we must be cautious..." his final words getting lost in the roaring laughter from Richards and Carragher in the studio.

Haaland Takes Aim at Real Madrid Defense

Carragher wasn't the sole target of Haaland's witty remarks during the midweek period.

In a conversation with TNT Sports pitchside, Haaland was questioned about the physical challenge presented by Madrid's center-back pairing of Raúl Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger. "You could tell within the first minute Asencio began pushing me and trying to get physical with me," the tall Norwegian chuckled. "It's something I enjoy, honestly, I don't have an issue with it."

Haaland's cheerful demeanor was certainly boosted by his clear victory in the physical contest that unfolded at the Bernabéu. City's star player earned the penalty kick he successfully converted to clinch a 2–1 win after being dragged down by the perpetually grabby Rüdiger.

"We've had some excellent duels," Haaland remarked about the German defender with a grin, "and tonight he got a bit too aggressive. He grabbed me, so in my view, obvious penalty."