Liverpool were confirmed as Premier League champions last weekend after a 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur meant that it was now mathematically impossible for another Premier League team to be beat them to the title.

Four games are left of the season, meaning that the tradition will continue that before each games the champions elect will be clapped onto the field via a guard of honour.

The guard of honour is something that is optional, there is no rule stating that it must be done, but as a sign of respect most teams opt to do it.

Arne Slot’s team will therefore receive a guard of honour from Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.

Man United legend Roy Keane weighs in on guard of honour debate - after Rio Ferdinand labelled tradition 'awkward' ahead of Liverpool's trip to Chelsea	'It's highly embarrassing' - Liverpool guard of honour decision comes under fire	Will Chelsea give Liverpool a guard of honour? ‘Embarrassing’ football tradition explained

The last time Liverpool won the league was in the 2019/20 season, where they set a record for the earliest a team has won the league.

With seven games remaining, they received seven guard of honours, as they also became the latest team to win the league by date, as they won it in June.

Despite the guard of honour being a hugely traditional practice accept by the majority of people in football, two pundits have come out and openly criticized it.

Peter Crouch and Rio Ferdinand spoke ahead of Aston Villa’s game against Fulham yesterday, explaining how it can be quite awkward to be on the receiving end of the round of applause.

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch said: “I don’t like it.

Maybe it shows respect, but I think it’s a bit embarrassing for the team that comes out and it’s highly embarrassing for the team that is clapping them on the field.

I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a guard of honour and be on the receiving end of it, and both are quite awkward.

Crouchy is exactly right.”

Regardless of this negativity, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that his team will stick to tradition and give Liverpool what they ‘deserve’.

“It’s tradition.

They won the Premier League, so they deserve it.”

Liverpool have also given Chelsea a guard of honour in May 2015 at Stamford Bridge after Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea won the title with games to spare.

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone?
For more news relating to Arsenal, visit our sister site AFC Latest Live.