Klopp Praises Ancelotti Ahead of Champions League Game Between Liverpool and Real Madrid

• Real Madrid defeated Liverpool in the final of last year's UEFA Champions League
• The two sides are meeting early this season in the round of 16 with the first leg coming up at Anfield
• Reds boss Jürgen Klopp has heaped praises on Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid are record-holders with 14 UEFA Champions League titles. They beat Liverpool 1-0 to clinch the title last season thanks to Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr's lone goal in the second half.

It was the second time in the last five years that Los Blancos have won football's ultimate club prize at the expense of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, also winning the 2018 final 3-1.

The English side had revenge on their minds last season but only extended their loss against the Spanish team, and it remains to be seen what motive they go into tomorrow's match with.

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Klopp heaps praise on Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti is one of his generation's greatest managers. He has won league titles in all countries he has managed, as well as winning four UEFA Champions League titles, two apiece with AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's game in a video published on Twitter by Football Daily and transcribed by Mirror UK, Klopp praised the Italian tactician, praising an important aspect of his managerial career.

“Carlo is the most relaxed manager I’ve ever met in my life, one of the best people you can meet, fantastic and humble person, super smart and nice. And his man-management is on a different level to all of us. I respect and admire it a lot,” he said.

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The German also had words for the Real Madrid team, who beat him last year with the additions of Aurelien Tchouameni and Antonio Rudiger in the summer.

“With this world-class team, which they were last year, brought in super exciting young players. They are always super competitive and super difficult to beat. And so this combination is a difficult one, but I think it makes sense to try anyway,” he added.

Mikel hails Ancelotti's calmness

Klopp is not the first person in the last few days to speak on Ancelotti's positive trait. Carlo's former player at Chelsea, John Obi Mikel praised the Italian's calmness, as Sports Brief earlier reported.

Obi also praised the Madrid manager's man management, hailing it as the best ahead of Jose Mourinho, who managed the player twice at the London club.

Ancelotti won the 2009/10 Premier League title at Stamford Bridge before he was dismissed in the middle of the second season.