Jamie Carragher welcomes Liverpool furlough U-turn: 'I was angry and embarrassed'

Reds legend says accepting government financial aid was the wrong move

Former Liverpool defender Jaamie Carragher was critical of the club's decision to furlough some non-playing staff but has praised the club's U-turn. PA

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has welcomed the club's decision to reverse plans to accept government financial help over coronavirus, saying he was "angry and embarrassed" before the about-turn.

The Reds had announced they were going to apply to a taxpayer-funded job retention scheme, called Furlough, during the coronavirus crisis.

But the move sparked criticism and Liverpool changed their decision on Monday night and apologised to fans.

Carragher told Sky Sports: "My hope was that there was enough time to reverse this decision. I was angry.

"At this moment Liverpool are top of the league, world champions, they tick so many boxes. People look at them as some sort of model.

"To get something so badly wrong, I couldn't believe it. I was embarrassed as a Liverpool fan.

"Tottenham and Newcastle have already done it, I expected it. But not from Liverpool, who built themselves up under their owners as 'this means more'. I'm delighted they've changed their mind."

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said football had missed a big chance to make a mark with salary cuts and a joint response.

"There was a huge opportunity for football to set the tone. It's such an important part in people's lives. It's such an important part of what England transports around the world, billions of people watch it.

"There was a really strong chance that if football set the tone then everybody else would follow and do the right things."