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Chelsea gave Liverpool a guard of honour on Sunday(Image: Liverpool FC/Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool should receive a guard of honour before every game in their run-in as it is a mark of “respect.” Chelsea fans booed when Liverpool’s players ran out at Stamford Bridge, but the tradition is expected to be upheld for the games with Arsenal, Brighton and Crystal Palace.

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch even branded the guard of honour for the champions as “highly embarrassing” despite it being a long-held ritual in English football.

But van Dijk says Liverpool have earned it and promised to make their victory parade to celebrate the 20th title their “best ever.”

Van Dijk also insisted that the huge battle for the top five and the Champions League places below them underline just what an achievement it is for Liverpool to be crowned champions.

Liverpool captain van Dijk said: “Of course, it’s about respect and I think it’s well deserved, there’s three more to go.

“Every guard of honour is big, it’s a sign of respect and that’s it, I think.

We did a very good job - and that shows.”

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Van Dijk enjoyed a victory parade through the city in 2019 after winning the Champions League but they won the title a year later in Covid times and there could be no such repeat.

But van Dijk insists this time will be better than ever and he says they owe it to the fans at Anfield to keep going until the end.

Van Dijk said: “Hopefully it will be even better than what we had after the Champions League final and I already encouraged everyone to wear red in the last game and keep doing that for the rest of the season because everyone saw how amazing it was.

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“For so many fans and people that have been going to Anfield for so many years it was one of their best days ever so hopefully the Palace game on May 25th will top that.

Virgil van Dijk will lead Liverpool out for three more guards of honour this season(Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

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- I won’t say dreaming about lifting the title because it will be a reality but I can picture it and it will be a very emotional day.

“My family will be there, my mum, my wife, my kids and until we get there, we must keep focusing on the games ahead of us and try to win the last three games in front of us.”

Virgil van Dijk scored Liverpool's only goal at Stamford Bridge(Image: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Van Dijk also says - despite the defeat at Chelsea on Sunday - they will not ease up in the last three games because they would risk getting hurt.
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