Sergio Ramos hasn’t taken long to direct an opening statement of intent at Liverpool ahead of the Champions League final in Kiev at the end of the month.
The Real Madrid skipper has cleverly praised the quality of Liverpool as a team whilst playing down the talismanic presence of Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool’s 43-goal Egyptian faces the biggest test of his career against one of world football’s most accomplished defenders in Ramos and reigning champions Real.
Ramos insists he is well-prepared for the Reds’ notorious attacking power and has dismissed any suggestion of fear.
“We have seen what Salah can do this season, but he will just be one of 11 players we face against Liverpool,” he told the Daily Mirror.
“Throughout my career, I have faced the best forward players in the world — many of them who are considered among the greatest ever.”
“For me, there is never a fear. A respect, yes, but never a fear.”
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The game boast the makings to be a Champions League classic between two sides purely intent on out-scoring each other.
Both overwhelmingly flourish on their attacking prowess, with Real Madrid’s defence weaknesses having been exposed on numerous occasions by the likes of Tottenham, Juventus and Bayern Munich throughout the competition.
Between their underdog status and inferior squad depth, Liverpool have nothing to lose and good reason to go toe-to-toe with the La Liga giants just as they did with Manchester City, and just as they did with Roma.
Salah’s presence alone on the right-hand side could prove invaluable in giving Marcelo in particular a torrid evening.