Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Chelsea will give Premier League champions Liverpool a guard of honour ahead of this weekend’s clash between the teams.
Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, in the latter’s first fixture since being crowned champions last weekend. The Reds sealed the Premier League title with a 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, securing a record-equalling 20th top-flight crown.
🔵 Chelsea have scored in every #UECL game they’ve played this season 🔝 pic.twitter.com/B9fawlAiR6
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) May 2, 2025
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca confirmed that Chelsea would recognise the visitors with the traditional guard of honour.
“Yes. It’s tradition. We have to do that, and we are going to do that. They won the Premier League, so they deserve it.”
Interestingly, Chelsea have given more guard of honours than any other team in Premier League history. The Blues previously took part in the gesture for Manchester United (2007), Leicester (2016), and Manchester City (2020 and 2023).
Ahead of this weekend’s game, Maresca acknowledged there is a gap between Chelsea and the champions but believes his side are moving in the right direction.
“In terms of the gap between Liverpool and Chelsea, it’s there and you can see this clearly,” the Italian said.
“My feeling is we are moving in the right direction and hopefully this gap can be smaller and smaller.”
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