Pep Guardiola reckons Liverpool have had it “easy”.
The Manchester City boss claimed this week that the Reds have been “playing without pressure” in recent months because the Premier League title race hasn't been in their hands.
The Spaniard, who has clearly been feeling the strain ahead of Sunday's nerve-jangling finale, was talking absolute nonsense.
Jurgen Klopp wasn't about to get involved in a spat when Guardiola's comments were put to him at Melwood on Friday.
“All respect for City for what they’ve done this season. I don’t know who had more pressure or whatever, both delivered and here we are,” Klopp said. It was a classy response.
Easy? The fact that Liverpool have taken the title race down to the final day has been an extraordinary feat.
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Since drawing at Old Trafford on February 24, the Reds have taken 28 points out of a possible 30.
Over that period Klopp has juggled his resources expertly to not only maintain a challenge domestically, but also successfully negotiate European knockout ties with Bayern Munich, Porto and Barcelona.
City, who have rattled off 13 straight league wins, have had more time to rest and recuperate having failed to get beyond the last eight of the Champions League once again.
But for Liverpool's superhuman effort there wouldn't have even been a title race this season. Instead it would have been another procession for the most expensively assembled squad in the history of football.
Has it been a level-playing field? Time will tell. Only one of these title contenders stands accused of cooking the books.
City currently find themselves under investigation by FIFA, UEFA, the FA and the Premier League for allegedly breaching financial rules. Liverpool will await their findings with interest.
The reality is that Sheikh Mansour's petrodollars can't buy what Klopp has created at Liverpool.
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The fruits of the German's labour was there in all its glory when Barcelona were humiliated on Tuesday.
It was the greatest night Anfield has ever witnessed - one that defied logic as that 3-0 first-leg deficit was overturned.
Klopp has fashioned a team in his own image who give everything for the cause. He has galvanised a fanbase and harnessed the power of Anfield.
Not only has he bought wisely but he has created an environment which gets every last drop out of the talent at his disposal.
For all the talk about hunger, desire, spirit and resilience dragging Liverpool over the line in midweek, it was also a tactical masterclass from Klopp and his players carried out the game plan to perfection.
Klopp is the first manager to lead the Reds to back-to-back European Cup finals since Joe Fagan in the Eighties.
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And he has done it while also accumulating 94 points and suffering just one league defeat all term ahead of Sunday's final showdown at home to Wolves.
It's why regardless of whether there's a silver-lining to this sensational season Klopp should be crowned Manager of the Year.
Just look at the stats. Liverpool are on the brink of remaining unbeaten at home in consecutive top-flight seasons for the first time in 39 years.
Victory on Sunday would equal the club's top-flight record of 30 wins in a season which was set over 42 matches in 1978/79.
Mohamed Salah is on the cusp of becoming the first Liverpool player in history to be the top-flight's leading scorer in successive seasons, while Alisson Becker is one clean sheet away from achieving the most shutouts since Ray Clemence 40 years ago.
Two games to go and Liverpool find themselves battling it out for the two biggest prizes in club football.
It's been inspired by the brilliance of Klopp and it's been anything but easy.
