Jamie Carragher has become embroiled in a fiery Twitter exchange with Bobby Duncan’s agent Saif Rubie after he accused Liverpool of bullying the youngster.
In a statement, Rubie claimed that the 18-year-old has suffered from ‘deep mental health issues’ after Liverpool turned down a bid for him from Fiorentina and stated that he is being forced to stay ‘against his will’.
Rubie also criticised Liverpool’s sporting director Michael Edwards over his handling of the situation by claiming that he had disregarded Duncan’s mental health out of stubborness by not allowing him to leave.
Carragher refuted Rubie’s comments, though, calling him a ‘clown’ and accusing him of not acting in the best interests of Duncan, whom he has known personally for a number of years.
I know Bobby & his family well, he’s young & at that age we all want everything right now. Played for the 1st team in pre season which is a great start & he should try & develop this season & maybe make the bench in Caraboa Cup. That should be the advice you’re giving him you ? https://t.co/RqXd9eupc1
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 28, 2019
He Tweeted: ‘I know Bobby & his family well, he’s young & at that age we all want everything right now. Played for the 1st team in pre season which is a great start & he should try & develop this season & maybe make the bench in Caraboa Cup. That should be the advice you’re giving him you ?’
Rubie instantly fired back by recalling the infamous incident that saw Carragher suspended by Sky Sports for two months at the end of the 2017-18 season after he was filmed spitting at a teenage girl in a car.
Do you also want to give advice on how to spit at people from the outside of a car? You’re the last person to say or know what’s really going on behding the scenes. Focus on your job and I’ll focus on mine. https://t.co/1bJ6ru7smC
— Saif Rubie (@saifpr) August 28, 2019
‘Do you also want to give advice on how to spit at people from the outside of a car? You’re the last person to say or know what’s really going on behding (sic) the scenes. Focus on your job and I’ll focus on mine,’ he replied.
Carragher responded to that retort by stating that he had a made a ‘huge mistake’ before then criticising Rubie for referencing Duncan’s cousin Steven Gerrard in his statement.
‘I made a huge mistake & apologised, I hurt myself more than anyone. You have made a big mistake & are hurting yourself but more importantly a young lads career. Throwing Stevie Gerrard’s name in also is embarrassing.’
I made a huge mistake & apologised, I hurt myself more than anyone. You have made a big mistake & are hurting yourself but more importantly a young lads career. Throwing Stevie Gerrard’s name in also is embarrassing. https://t.co/VXEx2JsViD
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 28, 2019
Rubie again mentioned Edwards by saying: ‘When the truth comes out as to how Michael Edwards has handled Bobby’s wellbeing and future you will be thinking differently I promise you.’
Carragher then hit back by stating that Rubie would find it difficult to conduct any future business with Liverpool after taking on Edwards before advising Duncan to sack his advisor.
There is a problem & it’s you. You take on the most powerful person at the club besides Klopp?!! Madness. Club will never deal with you again https://t.co/26AP9PXylp
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 28, 2019
I think @bobbyduncan999 should leave this guy before he gets sacked by the club. https://t.co/4nmKH7ZHTb
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 28, 2019
Duncan joined Liverpool from Manchester City last summer and was included in the club’s pre-season tour of the United States after scoring during the 6-0 win over Tranmere Rovers in July.
Despite being highly-rated by the club’s hierarchy, Duncan hasn’t featured in any of Liverpool’s first five games of the season and he had wanted to move on in search of first-team football.
Danish club FC Nordsjaelland had submitted an enquiry for him while Fiorentina’s loan offer with an option to buy was rejected by Liverpool for being ‘derisory’.
