Carlo Ancelotti admits Liverpool 'dream' before Everton changed everything

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is interviewed on RSI

Carlo Ancelotti has often been the scourge of Liverpool throughout his managerial career.

While the Italian was the losing manager for one of the Reds’ finest hours when they beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, it is a rare example of him being outdone by the Merseysiders.

The former Everton manager has won 11 of his 20 meetings with Liverpool, including in both the 2007 and 2022 Champions League finals

Ancelotti oversaw the Blues’ only Merseyside derby victory at Anfield since 1999.

Liverpool have won only six of their meetings with Ancelotti, including the most recent when Arne Slot’s side won 2-0 in the Champions League league phase back in November.

But the Reds’ win marked only the third time the 65-year-old has lost to Liverpool in the Champions League, having won eight of their 12 European meetings.

Yet despite often coming out on top against the Reds and managing their local-rivals, Ancelotti is still well thought-of by Liverpool supporters

He could have even managed the Reds himself, having been Fenway Sports Group’s alternative target to Jurgen Klopp when appointing the German back in October 2015.

And while the Liverpool job eluded him, Ancelotti has now admitted that managing the Reds had actually been his dream prior to taking over at Everton as he lauded his former rivals as the best side in the Premier League.

“My dream was to coach Liverpool,” he told RSI. “But then I found myself at Everton and I experienced their rivalry, and now I am absolutely an Everton fan.

“I really liked the environment, because there is a spectacular passion for the colours.

“You also notice the suffering that the fan has for Liverpool, which for many years and still today is the best in the Premier League.”

Ancelotti admitted he was still an Everton supporter ahead of facing the Reds in this season’s Champions League.

Meanwhile, he sent a message to the Blues fanbase after beating Liverpool in the 2022 final - less than a year after his Goodison Park exit.

“That’s right, I wasn’t expecting the offer,” he told reporters when recalling how his return to the Bernabeu unfolded.

“Real Madrid had phoned about other things and then I was asked if I wanted to come back.

“You can’t say no to Real Madrid, it is impossible. Everton weren’t that happy of course.

"I think they are a bit happier now because we have won tonight.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool look set to be left cursing Ancelotti again this summer as Reds vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold edges closer to joining Real Madrid on a Bosman transfer