Jurgen Klopp had spent much of the previous half-hour smiling, nodding and offering platitudes to the champions of Europe.
Romelu Lukaku's name brought a 'wow', Edouard Mendy, the continent's newly crowned best goalkeeper, received liberal praise.
The compliments continued as he moved on to Kai Havertz and Mason Mount then he concluded with Thomas Tuchel, the coach 'who made a huge difference'.
Liverpool against Chelsea isn't a fixture you would associate with generosity and good nature — spite and spice has been almost ever present since Roman Abramovich came to town in 2003 — so it was disarming to hear Klopp being so forthcoming.