If 2-0 is “a dangerous score line”, you’d think anyone would have to play in Hazmat suits to defend 4-3.
Especially in the febrile atmosphere of the Bernabeu, home of 13-time European champions, Real Madrid.
Jurgen Klopp was just trying to keep Liverpool’s feet on the ground when he said that after beating Villareal in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
And he certainly wouldn’t swap places with Pep Guardiola whose Manchester City not only have a narrower lead but are up against more perilous opponents.
City edged a classic where Liverpool got a job done, but the Reds are now slight favourites to lift the crown in Paris by virtue of having one foot in the final.
City, though, are much firmer favourites to win the English Premier League.
However, Liverpool remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple, the sheer scale of which would surely propel them to sainthood on Merseyside.
Elsewhere, they’d still be undisputed kings of 2022 and one of the greatest club sides of all time.
Conversely, if City, who already had to endure a far more difficult quarter-final, survive a second Spanish inquisition and go on to win the trophy, they would lay their own genuinely historic claims.
So, as we’re about to enter the final and decisive month of the season, it’s still hard to separate the two current titans of English and European football.
Indeed, since the start of the 2018-19 season there’s still only a single point between them. And a huge gulf between them and the rest.
What is beyond argument is that both the EPL sides were far superior to their Spanish opponents on the day.
That 4-3 win flattered the 13-time champions who were outplayed and, dare it be said, outclassed for most of it.
City should have won by five or six but spurned several sitters to leave the tournament aristocrats feeling they could turn the tie around.
It also continued the argument about City’s need for a No.9. Tellingly, £100m Jack Grealish wasn’t used – surplus to midfield requirements yet again.
But the stuff City played, mostly inspired by Kevin De Bruyne, was scintillating and made Real look ordinary.
At times, it took the breath away – quite literally of their aging stars.
Even Luka Modric was peripheral, Tony Kroos, a creaking relic of his former commanding self and mercifully taken off.
Central defence, without the shield that Casemiro provides, was a disaster zone with David Alaba turned inside out.
It could be that City dominate in Spain as well and if they take their shooting boots, they’ll prevail.
But many wise football heads are saying they missed their chance and Real will not be so obliging on their own turf.
And we’ve seen their ability to cling on in games and then ruthlessly bounce back.
But these recoveries have been mainly down to one man – Karim Benzema, who is in the form of his life at 34.
He singlehandedly beat Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and has carried Madrid this far.
The ‘meringues’ may clinch a 35th La Liga crown this weekend, but it’s not only a non-vintage year, the opposition has been token.
Barcelona have been rebuilding and Atletico’s anti-football has run out of venom – at least domestically.
Dare it be said that Real are past it and Pep’s vibrant City side will come of age as continental masters next week?
Or will they bottle the big occasion as they did in their previous semifinal in the Spanish capital under Manuel Pellegrini in 2016?
Pep has a much better side, is a much better coach and the fact is: they thrashed them once and therefore can thrash them again.
Or so City’s optimists are claiming.
All that said and done, Liverpool have a better chance of making it to Paris.
Klopp’s concern about complacency is understandable but Liverpool’s failure to score a third and put the tie to bed may have ensured there isn’t so much of that anyway.
And when it comes to resting and rotating players in this frantic finale to the season, Klopp has a decided advantage with his deeper squad.
With a slightly tougher domestic programme, he will need that but he will also need City to drop points at some stage.
And with only five games left, it’s hard to see where that’s going to happen.
This weekend, there has to be a slight chance as City travel to a resurgent Leeds still not safe from relegation.
After that, it’s at home to Newcastle, away to West Ham, home to Aston Villa and away to Wolves, the latter two both being “on the beach”.
On paper West Ham away looks the toughest, but the Londoners appear to have made the Europa League their priority as they can qualify for the Champions League by winning it.
However, should they lose to Eintracht Frankfurt, they may be scrapping for league points again.
Liverpool are also away at an improving side once faced with the drop in Newcastle so it won’t be a walk in the park.
Then top-four chasing Tottenham visit Anfield for what is the Reds’ most difficult-looking game.
After that it’s Villa away, Wolves at home and Southampton away.
Most likely scenario is no dropped points by either and City to end up as champions on May 22.
The only other games that might have a bearing through injuries are next week’s return legs of the Champions League semi-finals and the FA Cup final on May 14 in which Liverpool meet Chelsea.
Still, to keep the focus through all this is going to take some doing and whoever comes out on top will be worthy champions.
And one of the great club sides of all time.
Just how great is still to be decided.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.