Manchester City players will make a hedge of honor to their Liverpool counterparts on Thursday evening (9:15 p.m.) when they come to the Ethihad Stadium in their first championship match since their title was formalized.
A meeting that will be played behind closed doors. Given the measures to combat the Covid-19 and in particular social distancing, a guard of honor is difficult to apply. Pep Guardiola insisted that it take place. “We will do the honor guard of course”, said the Spanish technician.
This positive gesture is also debated in England. Danny Murphy, the former Liverpool player did not hide his skepticism. “The fact that City wants to make a hedge of honor on Thursday shows their humility and the recognition of their opponent’s qualities, and it’s a way for them to say ‘play well’ in Liverpool. I think it’s a no -meaning”, he said on the BBC on Match of The Day
“I wouldn’t want to do it because it wouldn’t be sincere. The fans don’t want it to happen, the players don’t really want it either. It’s just for the show but it doesn’t mean anything. (. ..) When I played Liverpool, and Manchester United became champion, we knew they were better. You have to respect that and do your best to become like them. This is how you show that you respect them “, he added.
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Danny Murphy also took the opportunity to praise a Red Devil. “De Bruyne is certainly the best midfielder in the world, and he must applaud and make a hedge of honor for players who are not even able to tie their laces.”
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