This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has announced that his team will give Liverpool a traditional guard of honour when they meet at the Etihad Stadium next Thursday.
The gesture comes after Liverpool secured their first English league title in 30 years, with Manchester City losing 2-1 at Chelsea two days ago.
Guardiola, whose team had won the two previous Premier League titles, praised Liverpool's exceptional performance, saying, 'Of course we are going to do it. We are going to do the guard of honour of course.'
He added, '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 refuted suggestions that his team had not been as hungry or motivated this season, despite Liverpool winning their 19th league title with a record seven games to spare.
He said, 'A team that wins eight titles in the last three years have passion, in every single game, in every competition, everywhere. No one in this country can say that.'
Manchester City will face Newcastle in their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday and are still chasing a treble of major trophies, leading Real Madrid 2-1 after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu.
