Liverpool will step onto the pitch as the newly crowned Premier League champions this Sunday when they take on Chelsea in an evening showdown at Stamford Bridge, scheduled for a 4:30 PM BST kick-off.
Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that his team will pay tribute to Liverpool’s title triumph by forming a guard of honour ahead of the match. Speaking in a pre-match press briefing, Maresca described the gesture as a respectful tradition that recognizes sporting excellence.
“They earned the title and deserve this acknowledgment,” Maresca said. “It’s something we’re proud to do. Hopefully, one day soon, we’ll be in their position.”
What is a guard of honour?
A guard of honour is a ceremonial gesture in which players of one team form two lines to applaud the champions as they walk onto the pitch. Though it is a voluntary act and not mandated by league rules, it has become a customary sign of respect within English football.
Historic examples:
The first known instance of a Premier League guard of honour took place in 2003, when Everton applauded Manchester United onto the field at Goodison Park. Since then, several title-winning teams have received the gesture, sometimes multiple times in the same season.
In 2015-16, Leicester City were given a guard of honour by both Everton and Chelsea. Manchester City experienced the same tribute on four occasions following their 2017-18 success. However, Liverpool set the record in 2019-20 by receiving the gesture seven times despite the season being played behind closed doors due to the pandemic. That same year, Chelsea also honoured them with one.
Memorable moments:
Over the years, the Premier League has seen some particularly striking and even tense guards of honour. In 2005, Manchester United had to applaud a Chelsea side managed by Jose Mourinho. Chelsea then returned the gesture in 2007 when United reclaimed the title.
Another memorable occasion occurred in 2013 when Robin van Persie returned to Arsenal with Manchester United after switching clubs. Though the Arsenal squad lined up to applaud their former striker, the home crowd voiced their disapproval. Van Persie went on to score a penalty in a 1-1 draw.
Recognizing individuals:
While guards of honour are typically reserved for league champions, they have occasionally been used to pay tribute to individuals. Sir Alex Ferguson was honoured by multiple clubs at the end of his managerial career. More recently, Jurgen Klopp received a guard of honour in his final home game as Liverpool’s manager in 2024.
In 2017, Chelsea captain John Terry was given a unique send-off, receiving a guard of honour before and during his final match with the club, as he was substituted in the 26th minute to match his shirt number.
Full list of notable guards of honour:
2003 – Everton for Man Utd
2005 – Man Utd for Chelsea
2007 – Chelsea for Man Utd
2011 – Blackpool for Man Utd
2013 – Arsenal for Man Utd
2015 – Liverpool for Chelsea
2016 – Everton and Chelsea for Leicester
2017 – Watford and Sunderland for Chelsea
2018 – Swansea, West Ham, Huddersfield, Brighton for Man City
2020 – Multiple teams including Chelsea for Liverpool
2021 – Newcastle and Everton for Man City
2023 – Chelsea for Man City
This Sunday, Chelsea will again take their place among these examples, as they welcome Liverpool with applause and respect, setting the stage for an exciting match between two of England’s top sides.
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