REAL MADRID boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he gave Jurgen Klopp a special gift after the pair became close while both living in Liverpool.
Eight months after the Champions League final in Paris Ancelotti and his Madrid side are back in Liverpool as they prepare for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
The pair became close when they both lived in Liverpool during Ancelotti’s time managing Everton.
Speaking to Sky Sport Ancelotti opened up on his relationship with Klopp.
He said: “I have a good relationship with him. We spent a year and a half here in Liverpool during the pandemic.”
The Italian also revealed that he gave the German a special gift.
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He added: “We texted and exchanged gifts. He is a very lovable person. What was the gift? An electronic cigarette”.
Real Madrid have a good record against Liverpool having beaten them in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals as well as knocking them out in the quarter finals during the 2020/2021 season.
Liverpool haven’t beaten the Spanish champions in their last six encounters losing five and drawing one.
Klopp’s men have struggled this season but big European nights at Anfield tend to bring the best out of them.
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The Anfield outfit head into the first leg on the back of consecutive wins in the Premier League and seem to be finding their stride again.
Ancelotti is the most decorated manager in Champions League history having lifted the trophy four times, twice with AC Milan and twice with Real Madrid.
The first leg takes places at Anfield tonight with the second in Madrid on Wednesday, March 15.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
