Real Madrid star Luka Modric has admitted his regret that his side are facing Liverpool at this stage of the Champions League.
The two sides have been drawn against each other in the round of 16, having faced off in last season's final. Real won 1-0 in Paris, with Vinicius Junior scoring the only goal.
Both Real and Liverpool have had comfortable paths to the knockout stages this campaign, although Jurgen Klopp's side did have to bounce back from defeat at Napoli in the opening matchweek.
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But they then registered five straight wins to qualify as group runners-up behind the Italian side, despite their mixed run of form in the Premier League.
That form continued into the new year, with the Reds failing to win five of their first six games of 2023 in all competitions.
But they will head into the first leg of the Real clash with confidence, having secured a pair of 2-0 league victories against Everton and Newcastle in the past week.
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And Los Blancos have already won the Club World Cup in 2023, although they are eight points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga.
They will be hoping to add another Champions League title to their trophy cabinet - which will surely make the upcoming two-legged fixture a memorable one.
But Modric has admitted his sadness that the two teams are going to be up against each other.
Modric names Liverpool regret ahead of CL clash
Speaking ahead of the first leg of the tie at Anfield on Tuesday, former Tottenham midfielder Modric said (via Daily Express): "Seeing the Liverpool squad, we know that at any time they can react and start to come back in the season.
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"I hope it won't be in these two Champions League games against us but we have to be ready.
"Despite our league seasons, a Liverpool-Real match is one of the best shows that the world of football can offer. It's a shame that the draw has led to us playing so early in the competition because it would have been a great Champions League final."
The two sides kick off their clash at Anfield at 8pm, with the reverse fixtures taking place at the Bernabeu on March 15.
Topics: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Luka Modric, Champions League
Ryan Smart