Madrid have been knocked out at the last 16 stage in each of the last four seasons and their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals this time around suffered a blow when they were paired with five-times winners Liverpool.

While Madrid have underachieved in Europe over the last few years, Liverpool have excelled, winning the competition in 2005, reaching the final in 2007 and the semi-finals last season.

It is an enviable record and the reason why most teams would have been hoping to avoid Rafael Benitez's outfit in today's draw for the last 16.

"When you are in the draw any rival team is difficult. Liverpool were one of the most powerful teams, the same as Real Madrid," said Ramos.

"We don't like this tie much, but then I suppose neither will Liverpool.

"Both of us are candidates to get through to the following round."

Ramos only took over at Madrid last week following the departure of Bernd Schuster.

Prior to that, Ramos spent a year in charge of Tottenham, where he got to see Liverpool up close.

With that in mind, the former Sevilla boss does not believe either him or his fellow Spaniard Benitez - a former youth team coach at Madrid - will have the upper hand with regards to information on the opposition.

"I think that the knowledge of the rival teams on the part of the coaches is quite similar," Ramos added.

"Rafa Benitez knows Real Madrid perfectly, first because he is a Spanish coach and second because he is a great professional who knows all the teams.

"I know Liverpool perfectly as well. I know how difficult they are and the difficulties they are going to present us, but I think it will be an exciting tie.

"They are a team with many qualities, a team made in the image of their coach: tough, with good players in attack, in defence, in goal...they are quite a complete team.

"Real Madrid don't have to fear anybody. We know that they are a difficult opponent but that we are going to have as much a chance of winning as them."