Jamie Carragher clashed with Jan Aage Fjortoft on social media after the Norwegian pundit criticised the Liverpool defender for poking fun at Martin Odegaard’s celebrations following Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Liverpool.
The victory saw the Gunners climb to within two points of the league leaders, with Mikel Arteta‘s side celebrating wildly at full-time.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ commentary after the match, Carragher fumed as Odegaard was seen taking a camera from a photographer, before proceeding to take several pictures of the cameraman in front of home supporters behind the goal.
‘Just get down the tunnel. You’ve won a game, three points, you’ve been brilliant. Back in the title race, get down the tunnel. I’m serious, honestly,’ Carragher said after the match.
But he wasn’t done there, with the 46-year-old taking another jibe at Odegaard’s celebrations, posting a video of the Norwegian with the camera on X (formerly Twitter). He captioned the clip with Neil Warnock’s famous line: ‘By all means enjoy it, but enjoy it by being disciplined!’
Martin Odegaard celebrated Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday by borrowing a photographer’s camera and taking several pictures of the cameraman with home supporters
Jan Aage Fjortoft hit back at Carragher’s tweet writing ‘football could do with more people expressing their love for the game’
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard all got on the scoresheet to give Arsenal the win, sparking the jubilant scenes at full-time.
But Fjortoft didn’t see the funny side to Carragher’s jibe, writing in reply: ‘Come on @Carra23. Let Martin show his passion! Also on the pitch. Let him have this moment with his mates at Arsenal like @Stuart_PhotoAFC.
The former Norway international – who played for Middlesbrough and Sheffield United and has gained prominence as a Premier League pundit with Viaplay and other European rights holders – added: ‘Nothing to do with being disciplined or not. Football could do with more people expressing their love for the game. I know you deep inside agree with me, mate.’
But the ex-Liverpool defender hit back at Fjortoft, writing: ‘Jan it’s a joke about a Neil Warnock quote, FFS! I like the way you’ve tagged them all in including the camera man so you get the retweets & likes you want.
‘I thought the camera stuff was a bit OTT, a bit like your claim that Mo Salah would leave Liverpool!’
The Norwegian had stated back in August that the Egyptian would depart the Merseyside club in the summer transfer window, and while there were strong rumours he could leave amid speculation that he could move to Saudi Arabia, Salah ultimately stayed.
But the ex-Liverpool defender responded to the former Sheffield United striker claiming ‘It’s a joke about a Neil Warnock quote, FFS!’
During his playing career, Fjortoft enjoyed spells at Swindon Middlesbrough and Sheffield United
Fjortoft and Carragher exchanged several other messages, with Carragher also quoting Eric Cantona
The captain celebrated with a club photographer, but Carragher was not amused with Arsenal’s jubilant reaction
The celebrations continued into the dressing room, with Arsenal now two points off Liverpool who sit top of the Premier League
Replying again to Carragher, the 57-year-old said: ‘Yes, Jamie! I tagged in the Arsenal- photographer Stuart MacFarlane, cause he has been at Arsenal since 1991. And he deserves all the praise – I guess that’s the same Arsenal- captain Martin O [Odegaard] thought after their win. In terms of your last line… only a thief sees who is stealing.’
Carragher then followed up with another quote that was made famous by Eric Cantona in 1995 after he appeared in a press conference following his kung-fu kick on Matthew Simmons while at Man United.
Carragher wrote: ‘When the seagulls follow the trawler…’
But Fjortoft had the last say stating: ‘I don’t think you will throw me sardines…’
Despite their exchange, former QPR, Cardiff and Middlesbrough boss, Warnock took to X to make a humorous dig at Carragher.
He wrote: ‘Love listening to your opinions Carra, but get your own catchphrase!’
The 75-year-old is expected to return to make a shock return to management in the coming days after being linked with the head coach’s position at Aberdeen.
Carragher had ruffled feathers online with his post-match comments, telling Arsenal’s players to ‘just get down the tunnel’
Neil Warnock even replied to his post, with the former Cardiff boss telling him to ‘get his own catchphrase’
Arsenal have now moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool
Piers Morgan also hit out at Carragher’s comments with the Arsenal fan claiming ‘we battered you’
But Carragher replied with a ‘winking face’ emoji: ‘Good luck at Aberdeen.’
Carragher’s comments at full time sparked widespread debate about how much players should celebrate.
Even Ian Wright hit out at his criticism of Arsenal’s reaction to the win, stating that his former team were well within their rights to celebrate the victory. ‘You lot can take the p**s if it doesn’t happen like you normally do, but let us enjoy now!’ he wrote.
Carragher, who had changed his X profile picture to a shot of Odegaard with the camera, also caught the attention of Piers Morgan, who wrote on the social media platform: ‘Calm down, calm down, @Carra23 – we battered you, and we’re going to enjoy every second.’
