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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that his side do not need to sign Raheem Sterling - but he did once try and sign Steven Gerrard.

Ancelotti has been a long-term admirer of Sterling, who made the headlines last week for complaining of tiredness when on international duty with England.

The teenage sensation has been heavily linked with a move to the Spanish capital because the starlet has not signed a new contract with Liverpool - although he is expected to pen a £100,000-a-week deal imminently.

Ancelotti, however, has shunned the talk of a deal in an interview with The Sun on Sunday.

He said: “Sterling is a player of great quality, certainly one of the best in Europe. But we already have extraordinary talent here.

“So to think of another striker for the Real Madrid attack is really extremely difficult.

“It’s clear that Sterling is not in our plans.”

(Image: Getty)

But one player who was in his plans was Reds captain Gerrard.

The Italian revealed that he wanted to partner the iconic midfielder with Andrea Pirlo at AC Milan, but Gerrard's link with Liverpool was 'unbreakable'.

Gerrard famously inspired the second-half comeback against Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, which saw the Reds come from 3-0 down to claim the trophy in a penalty shootout.

Real Madrid come to Anfield on Wednesday in the same competition, giving Ancelotti a first-hand look at what both Sterling and Gerrard can do.

He also admitted that he was not going to change his side's game plan to man mark Sterling.

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