'I am convinced' - Carlo Ancelotti does not think Liverpool will win Champions League this season

Liverpool are the current favourites to win the Champions League, having topped the inaugural league phase and booked their place in the round-of-16 with a game to spare after winning their first seven matches in this season’s tournament. But that is not enough to persuade Carlo Ancelotti of the Reds’ credentials this season.

The former Everton boss won a record fifth Champions League as a manager with Real Madrid last season, having defeated Borussia Dortmund in the final.

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Meanwhile, he has gotten the better of Liverpool in two European Cup finals, with AC Milan in 2007 and the aforementioned La Liga giants in 2022.

Winning 11 of his 20 meetings with the Reds as a manager, Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Real Madrid back in November ended a six-game unbeaten run for the legendary Italian against his former Merseyside rivals.

While Arne Slot’s side also currently top the Premier League table, and will look to go nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal if they beat Everton on Wednesday, Ancelotti is enduring a slightly more challenging season at Real Madrid.

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His side do currently top La Liga after 23 games played, but they are currently contesting a fierce three-way battle with Atletico and Barcelona only one and two points behind them in second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, defeats to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool saw Madrid finish 11th in the Champions League league phase, ensuring they would have to go through the knockout phase play-offs.

Man City, who are enduring a miserable campaign themselves compared to their previous high standards, stand in the way of Real Madrid and a place in the last 16.

Pep Guardiola’s side currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, 15 points behind the Reds, while they have lost 11 games so far this season.

But that has not stopped Ancelotti from insisting that he believes the winners of Real Madrid vs Man City will go on to win the Champions League this season ahead of the likes of Liverpool.

“It is always a headache to face Manchester City,” he said. “It will be a difficult game, hard to predict.

“It will depend a lot on the attitude and confidence of the teams. It’s such a high-level game you have to be at your best in every aspect.

“It seems like it’s a ‘Clasico’ because we have played each other a lot of times in this competition. It’s the most difficult game we can face, regardless of form.

“They are one of the best teams in Europe and they have the best manager out there. It’s a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has ideas that make you think.

“I am convinced the team that goes through from this tie will go on to win the competition.”