Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti addresses the media
Carlo Ancelotti has won the Champions League five times.
Carlo Ancelotti has tonight taken charge of a record 215th Champions League game with the Real Madrid boss passing former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Injury-hit Real are hoping to extend their dominance over Liverpool with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saying the reigning champions are aware that the Reds will be desperate for revenge tonight.
Liverpool failed to beat the reigning European champions once during Jurgen Klopp ’s time in charge - including two finals.
But it also represents a proud moment for Ancelotti - one of the game’s most successful managers, who has won the 65-year-old has won the competition five times.
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Courtois, meanwhile, has been impressed by Arne Slot ’s side so far - they lead the Premier League by eight points and are the only team left in the Champions League with a 100% winning record - he knows this clash will mean even more.
“Liverpool is a team with a new coach after many years with Klopp,” the former Chelsea No1 said.
“Now with Arne Slot it is a very dynamic, offensive team, with a lot of pressure, a lot of attacks, good counterattacks and a lot of speed up front.
“Playing at Anfield for them is a plus. They will surely be very keen on us because they lost the final in Paris and the round of 16 in 2023. They will want that little revenge and we hope to win.”
Ancelotti is without a host of key players owing to injuries. Star attacker Vinicius Jr hurt a hamstring last weekend and joins Aurelien Tchouameni, David Alaba and Eder Militao on the sidelines.
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp never defeated Real Madrid during his time at Liverpool.
Liverpool remain without Alisson Becker, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott and Trent Alexander-Arnold. But captain Virgil van Dijk has already outlined he has an added layer of motivation because of the past shortcomings against the La Liga giants.
"To be absolutely honest with you, I don't need fuel (of revenge) to be absolutely ready, but it's the Champions League, it's a massive game, a beautiful fixture for the neutral and we want to be on top and come out of it with a win," Van Dijk said in his pre-match press conference.
"Listen, the fact is that I have never beaten them. That record is a very disappointing stat so it's down to recovery and getting ready for a big one and I am looking forward to it."
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