Jamie Carragher has continued his war of words with Rio Ferdinand over the influx of money into football from Saudi Arabia.
The summer transfer window has seen a number of stars leave European clubs for big-money contracts in Saudi Arabia. Ruben Neves has left Wolves for Al Hilal, while French internationals Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante have both moved to the Gulf state and Bernardo Silva has also been linked.
One of the latest names to move to the Saudi Pro League is Steven Gerrard. The former Liverpool captain has taken over as manager of Al Ettifaq, and Ferdinand used the move as ammunition to ask questions of his former England international colleague.
"Jamie, Jamie Carragher, where are you man?" Ferdinand had earlier said on his FIVE YouTube channel. "I heard a lot of talk, a lot of negativity about Saudi. 'Oh Bernardo Silva, I can't believe it, it's a disgrace, it needs investigating...'
"Steven Gerrard's gone. You used to carry his boots and his bags at Anfield to games. Your boy's gone over there, I've not heard a peep out of you.
"I've not heard how disappointed you are. I want to hear him [Carragher] say 'I can't believe Stevie's gone there'. I'm actually buzzing for any of the guys who have gone out to Saudi - because it's Saudi, people are going mad, but all these other countries and leagues over the years have done exactly the same thing."
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Following Ferdinand's comments, Carragher fired back at his fellow pundit. "Never criticised Silva, Benzema, Neves or SG, I don’t like Saudi trying to buy football like they have Golf," he said. "I knew you’d be all over it @rioferdy5 like you were in Qatar!"
Carragher had previously voiced his concerns about Saudi involvement in golf. After a number of top players were won over by LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed tour announced a merger with the PGA in June.
"Saudi have taken over golf, the big boxing fights and now they want to take over football!!" Carragher said. "This sports washing needs to be stopped!"
His comments came at a time when Bernardo Silva was being talked up as a Saudi Pro League target. The Portugal international, fresh off his treble win with Manchester City, has reportedly been offered huge sums to make the switch.
"Bernardo Silva is in his peak and has been one of the best players in Europe for the last five years!" Carragher tweeted when news of that offer broke. "I wasn’t worried about the Saudi League taking players in their 30s, a touch worried with players below the elite (Neves) but if this happens it feels like a game changer."
