Man City give Liverpool players guard of honour ahead of Premier League fixture

Manchester City‘s players gave Liverpool a guard of honour as Jurgen Klopp’s side emerged from the tunnel at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday evening.

Liverpool’s long-awaited first Premier League title in 30 years was confirmed last week after City suffered defeat against Chelsea, officially rendering the 23-point gap between the two teams insurmountable with seven games remaining.

As defending champions, Pep Guardiola insisted his players would show the respect their rivals “deserve” after such an exceptional season.

“Of course we are going to do it,” said Guardiola. “We are going to do the guard of honour of course.

Always we receive Liverpool when they come to our house in an incredible way. They cannot complain and of course we are going to do it because they deserve it.”

Guardiola also dismissed the idea that his side had lost their hunger in the title race, having completed a clean sweep of domestic trophies last season.

“A team that wins eight titles (trophies) in the last three years have passion, in every single game, in every competition, everywhere,” he responded. “No one in this country can say that. It is so difficult to do what we have done in the most difficult league in the world but you cannot win all the time.

“There was one team that was exceptional and, when one team is exceptional, I say learn from them and congratulate them. It is simple. This team’s passion and desire, it is going and going and going again.”