Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher left CBS’s Champions League coverage due to illness but later reassured fans with a lighthearted health update.
The former England international was forced to depart midway through the broadcast, sparking concern among viewers. Carragher, a key figure in the network’s football analysis team, had been in high spirits alongside Thierry Henry, Micah Richards, and Kate Scott before his sudden exit.
His absence was noticed when the halftime show began, prompting his colleagues to address the situation. Scott informed the audience and her fellow pundits that Carragher had fallen ill and would not be returning for the rest of the broadcast.
Later that evening, Carragher took to social media to reassure fans, posting on his Instagram story, “Feeling better now and just checking if the team can cope without me,” along with a photo of his colleagues continuing the coverage without him.
Carragher had been present at Anfield the night before, watching his beloved Liverpool bow out of the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain in a dramatic penalty shootout. He had enjoyed the game from the famous Kop stand alongside friends before joining CBS’s post-match analysis.
Despite Liverpool’s European exit, the 46-year-old resumed his punditry duties on Wednesday night, covering the latest Champions League last-16 fixtures. Arsenal’s clash with PSV, Aston Villa’s encounter with Club Brugge, and the Madrid derby between Real and Atletico were among the key matches on the agenda.
His sudden departure led to lighthearted reactions from his colleagues, particularly Scott, who had introduced him earlier in the show with a playful jibe about his return to the studio.
“Hello, welcome to our London studios. I am Kate Scott and I am once again joined by Thierry Henry and Micah Richards,” she began. “Tonight, just like the story of the prodigal son. A bit too big for his boots, he thought life would be sweeter on the road. He thought he would be away, enjoying drinking and revelling, but he took a major loss and realised his foolishness. He came home, humbled. Hoping that he would be accepted. Jamie Carragher, back in the chair.”
Her remarks referenced Carragher’s presence at Anfield the previous night, where he had witnessed Liverpool’s valiant but ultimately unsuccessful battle against PSG.
Although his early departure from the CBS broadcast briefly overshadowed the evening’s coverage, fans and colleagues expressed concern for his well-being. His social media update provided relief, confirming that he was feeling better.
Carragher’s presence has become a vital part of CBS’s football coverage, with his insightful analysis and humorous exchanges with Henry and Richards forming a key aspect of the show. Despite the unexpected illness, his role as a beloved football pundit remains undiminished.
