JAMIE CARRAGHER couldn’t hide his pride for son James after the Wigan defender closed in on the Liverpool’s legend’s career goal record.
James, 23, netted the third goal of his career in Wigan‘s 2-2 draw against Barrow in the FA Cup, which the Lactics won 4-3 on penalties.
The defender netted the first goal of the game in the 19th minute to give his side a solid start against the non-league outfit.
The minnows came close to producing a huge cupset after coming from behind to lead 2-1 in the 85th minute.
But Wigan equalised in the 89th minute through Will Aimson before the team prevailed on spot kicks.
James’ strike took him to three goals from 73 games – just one away from Carragher’s total after 737 matches.
And the youngster’s father took to social media to celebrate his latest strike, while also posting a photo of his daughter Mia after landing a role in the Hunger Games stage play.
Carragher has often been spotted watching his son play at a number of Wigan games in the last year.
While James’ career is yet to reach the heights of his father after winning five domestic cups and the Champions League, he did play 33 games in League One last season, scoring twice.
Internationally, James plays for Malta after qualifying through a great grandparent and he has picked up four caps so far.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Carragher poked fun at himself after James netted his first professional goal for Wigan against Bristol Rovers at the start of the year.
After Sky Sports’ X account pointed out that his son only needed three more to beat Carragher’s entire goal tally, the ex-England defender reacted with two laughing emojis and an angry emoji.
Carragher, meanwhile, was targeted by Mohamed Salah during the Liverpool star’s rant over his lack of recent game time.
The Egyptian gave a bombshell post-match interview after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds, in which he remained on the bench throughout.
Salah accused Liverpool of “throwing me under the bus” after starting the team’s last three matches on the bench.
Salah said he was “hurt” over his treatment by the club despite being given “promises” after signing a new two-year contract in April.
But he aimed a jab at Carragher in the process as he insisted he was not fazed by the threat of criticism from the media in the wake of his controversial interview.
He said: “After what I have done for the club it really hurts. You can imagine, really.
“After going from home to the club and you don’t know if you are starting. I know the club too well, I have been here many years. Tomorrow [Jamie] Carragher is going to go for me again and again and that’s fine.”
He also claimed he had “no relationship” with boss Arne Slot and that “someone wants me to get all the blame”.
Salah added: “I’m very, very disappointed. I have done so much for this club. Everybody can see that during the years and especially last season.
“It seems like the club is throwing me under the bus. That’s how I feel. “It’s very clear that someone wants me to get all the blame.”