Carlo Ancelotti will renew his rivalry with Rafael Benitez claiming there are no hard feelings from their Champions League meetings.
Two of the Barclays Premier League's big guns square-off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in Ancelotti's first match against another top-four club since becoming Chelsea boss.
But it will not be the first time he has pitted his wits against Liverpool manager Benitez, who he met twice as coach of AC Milan in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals.
In 2005 AC Milan went 3-0 up only for Benitez's Reds to produce a stunning fightback, eventually winning on penalties. The Italian giants then triumphed two years later.
"I don't remember 2005 but I can remember 2007. Rafa only remembers 2005!" said Ancelotti.
"There is no pain in those memories. A difficult moment can teach you to improve.
"We lost an unbelievable game - it was one of the best matches for me when I was at AC Milan.
"It will remain a memory - not a positive one, but not a negative one either.
"It was fantastic for us to have revenge against Liverpool in 2007. We were sure we would win. The score is level between us now."
Ancelotti is full of admiration for Benitez's Liverpool, claiming their style would be at home in Serie A.
"Rafa's teams are well organised, especially defensively, and they work very hard to win the ball. I like this kind of work," said the Italian.
"Liverpool are very hard to play against. I think Rafa has looked at a lot of matches in the Italian league.
"At AC Milan it was very hard to beat Liverpool because they don't concede opportunities in defence. I hope it would be easier on Sunday."
During his time at AC Milan, Ancelotti became aware of Fernando Torres - the brilliant Spanish striker who will spearhead Liverpool's assault on Stamford Bridge.
"Torres is fantastic because he is able to score a lot of goals with the head and with both feet. He is the complete striker," he said.
"I like this kind of player. I never tried to sign him for Milan.
"Milan had a good relationship with Atletico Madrid. We changed a lot of players but Fernando was not for sale."
Two of the Barclays Premier League's big guns square-off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in Ancelotti's first match against another top-four club since becoming Chelsea boss.
But it will not be the first time he has pitted his wits against Liverpool manager Benitez, who he met twice as coach of AC Milan in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals.
In 2005 AC Milan went 3-0 up only for Benitez's Reds to produce a stunning fightback, eventually winning on penalties. The Italian giants then triumphed two years later.
"I don't remember 2005 but I can remember 2007. Rafa only remembers 2005!" said Ancelotti.
"There is no pain in those memories. A difficult moment can teach you to improve.
"We lost an unbelievable game - it was one of the best matches for me when I was at AC Milan.
"It will remain a memory - not a positive one, but not a negative one either.
"It was fantastic for us to have revenge against Liverpool in 2007. We were sure we would win. The score is level between us now."
Ancelotti is full of admiration for Benitez's Liverpool, claiming their style would be at home in Serie A.
"Rafa's teams are well organised, especially defensively, and they work very hard to win the ball. I like this kind of work," said the Italian.
"Liverpool are very hard to play against. I think Rafa has looked at a lot of matches in the Italian league.
"At AC Milan it was very hard to beat Liverpool because they don't concede opportunities in defence. I hope it would be easier on Sunday."
During his time at AC Milan, Ancelotti became aware of Fernando Torres - the brilliant Spanish striker who will spearhead Liverpool's assault on Stamford Bridge.
"Torres is fantastic because he is able to score a lot of goals with the head and with both feet. He is the complete striker," he said.
"I like this kind of player. I never tried to sign him for Milan.
"Milan had a good relationship with Atletico Madrid. We changed a lot of players but Fernando was not for sale."
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