Ex-Socceroo Robbie Slater led a chorus of outrage against ABC2’s coverage of Wednesday night’s friendly between Sydney FC and Liverpool, labelling the broadcast as “embarrassing”.

First-half goals to Daniel Sturridge, Alberto Moreno and Roberto Firmino gave the English Premier League giants a comfortable 3-0 win against the A-League champions.

But it was not the match itself that caught the attention of football fans.

Instead, it was the ABC2 broadcast, which was fronted by comedian Jules Schiller. Tegan Higginbotham and Steen Raskopoulos, also comics, were Schiller’s co-hosts.

Slater is a panellist at Fox Sports — which broadcasts the A-League — but he was certainly not the only online critic of a broadcast dubbed the “worst sports coverage ever seen”.

In a Twitter rant, Slater said: “I am embarrassed by the coverage of #LIVSYD tonight! After all the hard work put into the game in this country! @FOXFOOTBALL.

“I am so angry that they would do this to the game ! Whoever at FFA made this decision in my opinion should hang their head in shame #livsyd.

“Who thought this was a good idea at FFA! This is is unforgivable and I and every supporter of our game would like an answer ! #LIVSYD.

“I love our game and to have it bagged and disrespected by this coverage is unacceptable #LIVSYD.”

Slater also tweeted that it was “embarrassing” and that “neutrals are laughing”.

Fellow Twitter users echoed Slater’s sentiments, as @ABC2 was trending throughout the evening — and not in a good way.

.@ABC2 coverage is embarrassing, amateurish and disrespectful. Please never broadcast another football game.

— Tino (@bigcreds) May 24, 2017

Oh wow. Just wow. This @ABC2 coverage is just about the worst sports coverage ever seen. Please stop. #livsyd

— Dr Stewart Vella (@stewartvella) May 24, 2017

Fans seemed happy with the commentary of the match action, which came from Ned Hall and former Socceroos captain Paul Wade, but were seething at the pre-match, half-time and post-match shows.

So, what was so bad?

Instead of the traditional pre-match segment featuring interviews, team news and predictions, the ABC2 panel went for humour, claiming they had sent text messages to ex-Socceroo Harry Kewell asking him weird and wonderful questions.

Schiller also said he attempted to call Sydney FC manager Graham Arnold during the broadcast.

They used whiteboards for each team’s line-up and were unaware of star players missing.

The coverage was perhaps summed up best when sideline reporter Aaron Chen spoke with fans at half-time.

The video that says it all

https://twitter.com/scouse_roar/status/867337157282717697

Standing in front of a small group of calm children and young fans, Chen started: “Oh my gosh, it is going so crazy, these are some of the wildest dudes I’ve ever met.”

Chen then asked a Sydney fan: “What is your favourite possession?”

The thoroughly confused supporter started to answer before being cut off by Chen, who eventually put another bizarre question to a Sydney fan, asking: “Who would win in a game of UFC, Liverpool FC or Sydney FC?”

The young fan was cut off in his answer as well, before Chen removed his Sydney FC shirt to show an American football t-shirt beneath it.

“Oh no. We did it again. I ruined everyone’s life,” he begun ranting.

“They wanted me to keep the Sydney FC shirt on but it’s about football today. You can’t stop me. I love football. Football is one of the best sports.”

A perplexed Chiller eventually cut Chen off.

An official from A-League club Newcastle Jets also tweeted his disgust at the broadcast.

Ben O’Neill, who is Newcastle’s media manager, posted: “@ABC2 absolutely disrespecting our sport.

“I pray that this isn’t being broadcast anywhere else in the world.”

Did you watch the broadcast? What do you think? Have your say in the comments below.