Jamie Carragher labelled a 'big baby' after Liverpool rant and Man City Champions League prediction backfires | OneFootball

Ex-Liverpool defender’s anger soon turned to joy after hearing Man City’s potential Champions League last-16 opponents

Jamie Carragher has jokingly been labelled a “big baby” for his hilarious reaction to discovering Manchester City’s potential opponents in the Champions League last-16.

That result, coupled with Real Madrid losing to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in dramatic fashion meant City finished eighth and avoided the knockout phase play-off in the process.

Pep Guardiola’s side completed a successful league phase campaign for Premier League teams with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea also finishing in the top eight.

However, when reacting to Liverpool’s four potential opponents in the last-16, Carragher bemoaned his former club’s luck upon discovering they could be drawn against Atletico Madrid.

Speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher had a mini rant: “I’ve just seen Liverpool’s potential opponents, honest to god, this new format, I’ve had enough of it.

“We finished top last year and we got Paris Saint-Germain.

“We finished third this year, listen to this; Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, Galatasaray or Juventus and we finished third.

“If you finish third you can’t get them, you can’t have Atletico Madrid in there.”

Carragher then turned his attention to Man City, predicting a much easier round of 16 path for Micah Richards’ former team.

“I’ve never known a team more lucky with draws than Man City,” Carragher continued.

“They get to the FA Cup final every year right and they just play League Two sides.”

Though when Real Madrid’s name were read out as one of Man City potential last-16 opponents, Carragher’s mood visibly changed, saying “I’ll take that” only to be called a “big baby” by Richards.

Man City’s three other potential opponents are Bodo/Glimt, Inter Milan or Benfica.

The draw for the Champions League knockout phase play-offs will take place on Friday, January 30, 2026, with the last-16 draw taking place at the end of February.