Real Madrid forced to announce team to face Liverpool in Champions League final hours early over ‘mole leak fears’

REAL MADRID named their team to take on Liverpool in the Champions League final two hours early as Carlo Ancelotti reportedly fears he has a MOLE.

Ancelotti has made a habit of releasing his team-sheet prematurely in recent weeks to avoid it being leaked.

According to reports in Spain, the Italian boss suspects there is a “mole” inside the dressing room that has been providing a radio station with team news.

He also published his starting eleven two hours early for the semi-final clash with Manchester City.

Ancelotti has named the same team which beat City 3-1 after extra-time.

Gareth Bale on the bench for what will be his final Real Madrid game, if the controversial figure gets on.

He is joined on the bench by former Chelsea star Eden Hazard and Spaniard Isco.

Isco was forced to deny he was the mole last month.

The playmaker joked he is so out-of-favour he doesn't even know the team himself.

He said: “Isco is not [the mole], since I am not summoned and I have not attended the team talk.

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

“Send hate elsewhere! SAD.”

Semi-final hero Rodrygo also has to settle for a place among the substitutes despite scoring twice in two minutes after coming on against City to rescue the tie.

Liverpool were boosted by the returns of Thiago and Fabinho in midfield, as well as Virgil van Dijk in defence.

While Luis Diaz was preferred in attack to Diego Jota, alongside Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.

But the build-up was marred by worrying scenes outside the ground, with the game delayed by 36 minutes with fans stuck outside the ground.