Xabi Alonso has played down Jurgen Klopp's claim that Liverpool are "mentality monsters" - insisting the tag also applies to Real Madrid.
The Reds take on Real in Saturday's Champions League final, aiming to complete a treble by winning the FA Cup, EFL Cup and European Cup in the same term. Real are also after a third trophy this season, having already lifted La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.
Klopp described his team as "mentality monsters" after their FA Cup triumph earlier this month, beating Chelsea on penalties in the final. Liverpool were chasing the Quadruple before missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City.
While Alonso agrees with Klopp's description, he thinks Real are also "mentality monsters". If victorious in Paris on Saturday, the Spanish giants will have won five of the last nine Champions League finals - a remarkable achievement by anyone's standards.
"I love when Jurgen says that they are ‘mentality monsters’ because to do what they are doing, it is not easy," Alonso told BT Sport ahead of the final. "It’s not just this year, it’s what they have been doing for the last few years and they have that mentality.
"But, another thing is the final. The final, it is a big one and when you need to show that mentality because Madrid, they are other mentality monsters so it’s a big, big clash that we are going to have. Enjoy it!"
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Alonso played for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009 - winning the Champions League in 2005 - before moving to Real. He added a second Champions League winners' medal to his collection during his time in the Spanish capital before joining Bayern Munich in 2017.
Real won their 13th and most recent European Cup in Kyiv four years ago, beating Liverpool 3-1 in the final. The Reds went on to win the trophy the following season, beating Tottenham 2-0 at Atletico Madrid's home grown. That was Liverpool's sixth European Cup.
"I was in Kyiv a few years ago and it was great to enjoy with two of my teams," added Alonso. "It’s not all about the final, it’s also about reaching the final and enjoying it with the crowd. I was there with friends from Madrid and friends from Liverpool and I am kind of in the middle of both teams, so I will win whatever happens!
“[They are] both great teams, they both deserve [to win] so I will feel for one not to get it. But whatever happens, Madrid will win and Liverpool will win in the future. We will see. It’s the Champions League final so just enjoy it."
Despite sitting on the fence, Alonso remains a big fan of Klopp. The Spaniard is at the start of his managerial journey, leading Real Sociedad's "B" team to the second tier in 2020-21. They suffered relegation this term.
"Jurgen, I have played many times against him," said Alonso. "He is intense, he is very passionate and I think that one of his best qualities is that he is able to get the best from his players and he is able for them to commit in a very generous way and create proper teams."
