Zinedine Zidane makes emphatic Anfield statement but truth about Liverpool experience speaks volumes

Zinedine Zidane was left in no doubt about which was his favourite stadium to visit with the Real Madrid legend saying Anfield is the best place to play football. But the French World Cup winner never actually performed club football at Liverpool's stadium in front of fans.

The 52-year-old has also been heavily linked with the Manchester United manager job with Erik ten Hag under increasing pressure at Old Trafford.

But asked in an interview with Real Madrid's YouTube channel which was the best away ground to play at, Zidane didn't hesitate. And although he would later name Old Trafford as another impressive awayday, it was clear that Anfield left an impression on the football great.

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"Liverpool," he answered when asked. “I also remember Manchester United," he added. “We played some impressive matches against them (at Old Trafford)."

Zidane only ever performed at Anfield as a player once, scoring a penalty in a shootout victory for France against the Netherlands after a 0-0 draw in the Euro 1996 quarter-finals. He never actually played there for Bordeaux, Juventus or Real Madrid.

He did manage Real in a 0-0 draw at Anfield in 2021, but that was during COVID with no supporters in the ground. He also led Madrid to a 3-1 Champions League final victory over Liverpool in Kiev in 2018, the third of three consecutive European Cup victories for Real during his time as manager of the club.

Zidane won everything as a player, including the World Cup in 1998 and European Championships in 2000 with France and the Champions League, La Liga and three Serie A titles during his time with Madrid and Juve.

He also famously scored one of the greatest goals of all time with a left-footed volley as Real beat Bayer Leverkusen at Scotland's Hampden Park in 2002.

Speaking before his Madrid side faced Liverpool in 2021, Zidane praised Jurgen Klopp's side as the "complete team".

He said: "They're a complete team. Some people will mention the three forwards, and it's true that they're really good, but I think they're a strong, solid unit. I'd rather focus on the team. After that, yes, the three forwards are really efficient. We'll have to be alert."