Craig Bellamy 'the only man more unpopular than Gary Neville', Jamie Carragher jokes after Monday Night Football debut

Bellkamy made his Monday Night Football bow with general success, but that didn't stop Carragher from engaging in a joke at his former Liverpool team-mate's expense

Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy made his Monday Night Football debut (Sky Sports)

Jamie Carragher showed little sign of any emotional torture he was suffering from following the departure of his Monday Night Football colleague Gary Neville as he wasted little time tearing into former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy.

The 36-year-old Welshman made his MNF bow for Sky Sports’ live coverage of Everton’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace, and to his credit he made a good impression for his first time in the studio.

However, Carragher could not resist getting the first dig in, as he announced Bellamy’s arrival as the first of a series of host guests as “the only man we could find who was more unpopular than Gary Neville.”

But with the jokes out of the way, Carragher and host Ed Chamberlain used to opportunity to delve into Bellamy’s experiences during his career, as well as seek his opinions on the current Premier League campaign.

It led Bellamy to the subject of league leaders Leicester, and in particular Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, the latter of which he credited as the best player in the top flight so far this season.

“He has been a pleasure to watch,” Bellamy said of Vardy. “How intense he is, how aggressive he is closing down but always just how he plays on the shoulder and looks to go in behind.

“He’s always a threat and he has brought finishing to his game as well. He’s been a delight to watch, you just can’t help but fall in love with the way he plays.

“I’ve been amazed by him and for him to get the record (of scoring in consecutive Premier League games) is not just a credit to him but where he’s come from. He’s a great example for kids.”

Turning his attention to Mahrez, who scored a brilliant hat-trick to mastermind the 3-0 defeat of Swansea that has placed Garry Monk’s future in severe doubt, Bellamy added: 'I think he’s been the best player in the Premier League (this season) without a shadow of a doubt.”

However, while reports suggest that Monk could be out of a job in the next few days following a run of one victory in their last 11 matches, Bellamy could not make it any clearer that he does not want to see Monk sacked, and the former Wales international added that the club will be richer for the experience if they stick with Monk – who he feels will not get them relegated this season.

Craig Bellamy enjoys a discussion on Monday Night Football with former team-mate Jamie Carragher (Sky Sports)

Bellamy said: “If Swansea get rid of him I believe it would be a massive mistake and I’m quite strong on that. Last year he was the best manager in their history. Yes, he’s a young manager and people talk about experience, but give him experience through a bad time.

“As a club you will benefit through this experience, I don’t feel Swansea will get relegated so stick with this man. He’s been with them a long time and seen the transitional period, and Swansea will be a better club with Monk involved.”