Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has taken to Twitter to justify his comments about the Reds after Saturday's Champions Leaugue final, using quotes from Lionel Messi to prove his point.
Liverpool suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in Paris, with Vinicius Jr's second-half goal separating the two teams.
Although Jurgen Klopp's side were not at their best on the night, they did control large parts of the game and created the majority of chances. Unfortunately for Liverpool, they ran into a goalkeeper in indomitable form in Thibaut Courtois.
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After the game, Owen told BT Sport that despite the result, he still considered the Reds as the best side on the continent.
"I still think Liverpool are the best team in Europe, I really do. On another night they win this game," he said.
"The season they had, I feel like they’re the team to beat. It’s a one-off game. They’re still the most fearsome team but to not win the two big trophies will be desperately disappointing."
The remarks prompted ridicule on social media from a number of supporters, given Liverpool had just missed out on the chance to be crowned as European champions.
However, Owen has defended his comments on social media, sharing an assessment from Messi of Saturday's game.
"The best team doesn't always win," said the current Paris Saint-Germain and ex-Barcelona forward. "Real Madrid weren't the best team in Europe this season, without taking any credit from them, even though they are the Champions League winners."
Owen quote-tweeted the point with a caption of his own. "And I got ridiculed for saying this. Enough said." The message was followed by an emoji with its finger to its lips.
