Chelsea will honor Liverpool with a guard of honour when the newly crowned Premier League champions visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday, as confirmed by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. Liverpool secured their 20th English top-flight title last weekend, clinching a commanding 15-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with four matches to spare.
Although giving a guard of honour is not a requirement, Maresca emphasized that it is a respected tradition, and Chelsea will participate in this gesture to acknowledge Liverpool's achievement.
Maresca expressed his admiration for Liverpool's triumph, stating that winning the Premier League is a remarkable accomplishment that every club strives for. He also mentioned that the Chelsea squad, while focusing on their own goals, would take the opportunity to acknowledge Liverpool's success, hoping that they too could soon experience such a moment of glory.
Maresca noted that seeing Liverpool's success would inspire his players to work towards winning the league in the future.
In contrast to the last time Liverpool won the title in 2020, when coronavirus restrictions prevented teams from giving a guard of honour, Chelsea's gesture this time will include a handshake, marking a return to normalcy. During that season, Liverpool clinched the title with several matches remaining, and every team they faced offered the traditional guard of honour, including Chelsea, who also gave one to Manchester City in 2023.
While Chelsea remains focused on finishing in the top five and qualifying for next season's Champions League, Maresca does not believe Liverpool will ease off their intensity despite having secured the title. He praised Liverpool's consistency throughout the season, which has been key to their success, and expressed confidence that Chelsea is moving in the right direction to close the gap in future seasons.
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