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Carlo Ancelotti has recently made a surprising Liverpool admission that’s sure to catch fans off guard.

It’s not every day a rival coach opens up about his love for another club.

But that’s what happened when one of Europe’s most decorated managers admitted something Liverpool fans may not have seen coming.

It’s especially striking because this isn’t a manager with a vague link to the Reds—this is someone who once stood in their way in one of the most painful nights in the club’s history.

Carlo Ancelotti has managed in the Premier League.

Twice.

And Liverpool fans remember both stints, particularly his time at Everton.

His blue ties didn’t make him popular on Merseyside, at least not with the red half.

So for him to say what he said recently is a little unexpected, even if it now feels a bit too late.

But yes, he said it.

Speaking to Armando Ceroni on the ‘Larmandillo’ podcast, Ancelotti confessed, “My dream was to manage Liverpool, but then I found myself at Everton and experienced their rivalry, and now I’m a true Everton fan.”

It’s a bold admission.

He went on to praise the Merseyside football culture, saying, “I really liked the atmosphere, because there’s such a spectacular passion for the colours.”

“You also notice the ache that Liverpool fans have for so many years and still excel in the Premier League today.”

Interestingly, his return to Real Madrid in 2021 came about after he called the club directly.

He explained, “Actually, I called them.

The year before, I’d called them to see if they had any players available for us, and Everton had signed James Rodriguez.”

“The following year, I heard they were looking for a manager, and when I spoke to them, I told them they had to get a good one.”

Ancelotti also touched on his history with Liverpool from his Milan days.

He said, “In the 2003 final, I sent three defenders to take penalties—Serginho, Kaladze, and Nesta—because I couldn’t find anyone else.”

“It’s also true that I had removed Pirlo and Rui Costa, but it wasn’t easy to find five penalty takers?

I did find that in 2005, all good, except Dudek was there, and with today’s rules, all the penalties would have had to be retaken.”

He even added: “Dudek was not exactly on the line when the penalties were taken.”

Ancelotti has never managed Liverpool.

But for fans, his words are one of those ‘what if’ moments.

Read more: Former Dutch attacker explains why Virgil van Dijk has ‘improved even more’ under Arne Slot

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