Should De Bruyne Do Guard Of Honor When His Game Cannot Be Matched By The Reds' Players?

Kevin De Bruyne (Twitter @DeBruyneKev)

JAKARTA - Former Liverpool player Danny Murphy does not believe Manchester City will carry out a guard of honor in honor of the Reds Premier League title. Moreover, Kevin De Bruyne was there.

Jurgen Klopp's side were named the best team in England when City lost 1-2 at Chelsea last week. With this result, the Reds are 23 points ahead of City with seven games remaining.

The two teams will face off at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday. City boss Pep Guardiola said his players would uphold the tradition of applauding champions upon entering the pitch.

Although the guard of honor is generally an attitude of sportsmanship and goodwill that is not controversial in England - its use, especially when it comes to Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​is somewhat more frequent in Spain. Murphy told talkSPORT he didn't believe it had to happen in England.

"It's a perception of respect, the 'right thing to do', the message you're trying to send to the world of football that when someone wins you show respect and grace," said the former England midfielder.

"The fact City are going to do it on Thursday would show humility, saying 'well done' to Liverpool and an appreciation for their quality. I think this is nonsense.

"I don't know where it (tradition) started and why it started, I would feel uncomfortable doing it. I would do it because you had to, but I don't want to do it, because it was not done sincerely.

"If I'm a Liverpool player and United win the league, you know they are better than you, you respect that and you try your best to be like them, so they know you value them.

"The fans don't want you to do it, the players don't really want to do it, it's all for effect and it doesn't mean anything."

Murphy also claimed the collective movement did not suit him given the quality of one man, namely Kevin De Bruyne.

The City midfielder has enjoyed an outstanding season and has been a double figure for goals and assists in the Premier League. That puts him firmly in the individual title contest at the end of the season.

Murphy added: "Kevin De Bruyne is the best midfielder, maybe, in the world.

"And he clapped his hands and gave the guard of honor to a player who couldn't even put his shoes on."

30 - Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in 30 goals in all competitions this season (12 goals, 18 assists), four more than any other Man City player. Peak. #NEWMCI pic.twitter.com/JQFVopLozC

- OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 28, 2020