Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti claims he's a fan of Liverpool's fierce rivals ahead of UCL encounter
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated that he is a fan of Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton as Los Blancos prepare to face the Reds. Real Madrid will renew hostilities with the Premier League leaders in their UEFA Champions League clash at Anfield on Wednesday, November 27.
Ancelotti has managed in all of Europe's top five leagues, winning league titles in each of them. His last job before returning to Real Madrid in 2021 was as manager of Everton in the Premier League, and he spent nearly two years in charge of the Toffees.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid's clash against Liverpool, Carlo Ancelotti said (via Madrid Xtra on X):
"I'm an Everton fan, I'm blue."
Ancelotti took the job at Goodison Park after a year in charge of Serie A side Napoli, his fifth managerial appointment in his native Italy. He had previously tasted success in the English top-flight, winning the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season as Chelsea manager in the 2009-10 season.
Carlo Ancelotti is the most successful manager in the history of the UEFA Champions League, having won the trophy five times, including thrice as Real Madrid manager. His side defeated Liverpool in the 2022 final in Paris and defeated the Reds over two legs in the Round of 16 in the following season.
The Italian manager has faced Liverpool 19 times in his career as a manager, winning 11 of the meetings and losing just five times. He faced the Reds four times in his time as Everton boss, winning once and losing once, with two games ending in draws.
Liverpool star set to feature in Real Madrid clash
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been passed fit to feature in their clash against Los Blancos. The Englishman spent nearly three weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during his side's win over Aston Villa on November 9.
The 26-year-old withdrew from the English national team squad that faced Greece and Ireland in their final UEFA Nations League games this month.
Arne Slot has confirmed that the right-back will be in the Reds' squad against Real Madrid, but won't feature from the start. Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley is expected to start for the Reds.
