Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has told the story of a gift given to him by Jurgen Klopp during spell on Merseyside as the Everton manager.
Klopp and Ancelotti reignite their friendly rivalry tomorrow night when Real Madrid travel to Anfield tomorrow night to face Liverpool in the Champions League knockouts.
Both managers have been complimentary of each other, both as coaches and as people, with Klopp describing Ancelotti as “so humble and nice” in his pre-match press conference.
Ancelotti spoke to Sky Sports Italia in the build-up to the Champions League knockout tie. The Italian said of Klopp, “We have a good relationship, we spent a year and a half together here in Liverpool during the pandemic. We texted and he gave me gifts, it’s true. He’s a very lovable person.”
Ancelotti revealed the gift given to him by Klopp was an e-cigarette.
A rivalry full of respect and admiration but not lacking in intensity, once suspects the atmosphere between both sets of players will far more tense than the relationship between the two coaches.
Klopp’s Liverpool still have last year’s defeat to Real in the Champions League final fresh in their minds and will be seeking to avenge that loss.
Madrid are unbeaten in their last six games against Liverpool.
Klopp: "Carlo is the most relaxed person I ever met in my life. So humble and nice."
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) February 20, 2023
