Jamie Carragher blasts the refereeing decision that led to his first-ever red card, joking that it was an example of ‘great defending’…and labelling the striker involved a ‘coward’ for going down to easily

Jamie Carragher slammed the decision that led to his first-ever red card 25 years ago, joking that the incident was an example of ‘great defending’.

The former defender was dismissed just three times in a Liverpool career that spanned almost two decades and included more than 700 appearances for the Merseyside club.

Carragher was treated to a trip down memory lane during CBS’s coverage of the Champions League this week as he had to relive the first of these indiscretions.

The incident occurred during the second half of a top-flight match against Charlton Athletic in the Valley when Carragher, attempting to fend off the jostling Martin Pringle, caught the attacker in the face with a swinging arm.

Referee Mike Reed chose to show the then 21-year-old a straight red, to which he responded with some surprise. Nearly thirty years later, his feelings about this have not changed.

Carragher was shown a straight red card by referee Mike Reed for catching Swedish striker Martin Pringle in the face

‘How do you get a red card for that?’ Carragher said this on Tuesday evening. ‘I just cross my arm, great defense – what a coward you are. stand up.’

Gerard Houllier’s side conceded the only goal of the match through Keith Jones just two minutes later, as Charlton secured much-needed points in their battle against the drop.

As for the Reds, they had left the France boss in sole charge after he started the season as Roy Evans’ co-manager. The peculiar arrangement was untenable and was eventually broken when the Reds icon left in November 1998.

Liverpool had to endure a quite miserable campaign in which they lost fourteen games and finished seventh, although the following season yielded a fourth-place finish that laid the foundation for their treble cup success a year later.