Ancelotti claims he’s an ‘Evertonian’ in response to Salah warning ahead of Liverpool clash

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has declared himself an “Evertonian” ahead of their Champions League final showdown against Liverpool.

Madrid will take on Jurgen Klopp’s side in Paris on May 28, after they produced another stunning comeback in this season’s competition to overcome Manchester City in the semi-final on Wednesday.

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The La Liga giants defeated Liverpool in Kyiv in 2018 to win the competition for a record 13th time.

The game is remembered for a stunning overhead kick from Gareth Bale, Loris Karius’ nightmare in goal and an early injury to Mohamed Salah.

And the Egyptian forward warned Ancelotti that Liverpool have a “score to settle”.

The Italian manager response was to claim it will feel like a derby to him, having spent two years on Merseyside.

When asked about Salah’s remark, Ancelotti replied: “I’m happy to play yet another final. We’ll have to face another great team, Liverpool. In my personal history, I’ve squared off against Liverpool a bunch of times.

“In 1984 as a player, in 2007 [and other times, including Liverpool’s famous victory against AC Milan in 2005] and now again we’ll be playing against Liverpool. I lived in Liverpool for two years, as well. To me, this feels like a derby because I’m still an Evertonian.”

Ancelotti was in charge at Goodison Park between December 2019 and June 2021, leaving Everton to return to Real.

On the incredible victory at the Bernabeu, Ancelotti claimed the club’s “big history” helped them to stay alive when all seemed lost.

He said: “I cannot say we are used to living this kind of life, but it happened also tonight what happened against Chelsea, what happened against PSG.

“It’s