Ancelotti breaks silence on Trent Arnold transfer talk before Liverpool tie

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti dodged questions about the club's reported interest in Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The 26-year-old England star, whose contract at Anfield expires next summer, is expected to start on the bench for tonight's Champions League match (November 27) after picking up a hamstring injury, amid ongoing talks over his future with the Reds. .

Alexander-Arnold, along with the recently outspoken Mohamed Salah, and stalwart defender Virgil van Dijk, all have contracts that expire in 2025, and none have yet committed their futures beyond that point.

Ahead of Wednesday's crucial clash, Los Blancos boss Ancelotti dodged questions about any interest in Alexander-Arnold, although he praised the opposition and their manager Arne Slot, and reiterated his affinity with a former club, Liverpool's bitter city rivals Everton.

“I'm sorry, but I can't think about Alexander-Arnold,” Ancelotti admitted on Tuesday. “He's not my player. I have fond memories of Everton and I regard Liverpool with the usual respect; it's a fantastic club with great supporters. But I'm still an Evertonian!”

“It will be a very intense match. We are two historic clubs, each with our own unique characteristics, and it will be interesting to see who can impose theirs.

“Liverpool is always a tough competitor. They were under [Jurgen] Klopp, and they will remain under their new coach. Liverpool have performed exceptionally well so far, better than us in the domestic competition.

“But now we're back and we hope to put up a good fight against formidable opposition. We hope to be back in the mix as usual by the end of the season.”

Ancelotti also revealed that he still keeps a close eye on his former club Everton, who he left in 2021 when he moved to the Spanish capital, the Liverpool Echo reports.

“Of course I follow Everton,” he admitted. “I follow the club, I follow the results. Call me tomorrow after the match and I will talk to you about this (their struggles).”

Heading to Anfield, Ancelotti's side were hit hard by injuries, with key players such as Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Rodrygo missing from the 19-man squad list.

That seemingly confirms a start for young Raul Asencio in defence, with Ancelotti praising the 21-year-old. “I see him [Asencio] Well, with personality. He is always very good, focused. He did very well in the last two games and I am confident he will do well tomorrow as well,” he stressed.