Liverpool have officially been crowned Premier League champions but have four games of the season left with their opponents tipped to stick by the Guard of Honour tradition
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Liverpool's players received a Guard of Honour when they won the title five years ago
Liverpool's players received a Guard of Honour when they won the title five years ago
Chelsea welcome Liverpool on Sunday with the Reds playing for the first time since they were crowned champions. Their 5-1 win over Tottenham sealed the Premier League title - which had been a long time coming.
Arne Slot's side have set the pace for much of their campaign and their consistency had seen them open up a comfortable lead. In recent weeks it had become a case of when - not if - they would officially be crowned. Liverpool can now enjoy the final weeks of the season.
They'll get to play several matches whilst boasting their champion status and, if Premier League tradition is anything to go by, they'll be receiving some well earned recognition along the way. Walking out to a Guard of Honour has long been a thing in England.
Several of Liverpool's leading lights, the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, were present when the club won the title five years ago and enjoyed the respect of walking out to a Guard of Honour. Back then though they had no fans in the stadiums.
What is the Guard of Honour?
Those who've just been crowned as Premier League champions have historically been honoured by the team they face once they've been confirmed as winners - often in the final weeks of the season.
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The tradition involves the opposing team lining up in two lines as the title-winning side walk out from the tunnel, applauding them as they walk through. It is viewed as a mark of respect - but it is by no means a compulsory gesture in the Premier League and there is nothing in the regulations stating it has to be observed.
The two clubs will have agreed on it before the game takes place, but failing to do one would certainly cause huge controversy and leave that club with questions to answer. Some players have been reluctant in the past give a round of applause, especially if that team is seen as a direct rival or the side who have pipped them to the title.
The Reds will play for the first time since being announced as champions
The Reds will play for the first time since being announced as champions
When has it been observed before?
Handing out a Guard of Honour stretches back to 1955 when Chelsea won the league and Manchester United showed respect to Blues by clapping them in as they walked onto the pitch. The Red Devils kept up that tradition by applauding Arsenal's 1991 title win at Highbury.
United's respectful behaviour has been replicated by a number of teams as Chelsea applauded Sir Alex Ferguson's men when they won the title in 2007. Liverpool have handed them out in the past - giving one to Chelsea in 2015. Leicester were then given one by the Blues the following year following their sensational title triumph.
Liverpool will hope they don't receive a repeat of the gesture they were shown by Manchester City following their title win in 2020. Pep Guardiola's side had just been dislodged as champions and several Reds supporters were fuming as they spotted some players who stopped clapping before all the Liverpool players had finished coming out of the tunnel.
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