Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has insisted that he has no qualms over his side giving Chelsea a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
The Reds will applaud the recently-crowned Premier League champions onto the field prior to their clash in West London.
Far from seeing the long-dating tradition as a hindrance, Rodgers is hopeful that it will "spur" Liverpool on to pick up maximum points in order to keep their top-four hopes alive.
"It is the protocol and what you do," the Northern Irishman is quoted as saying by Goal.com. "They deserve to be champions.
"It's not something the players would like to do but we are a team and a club that has class and dignity, so we will do it and go straight into the game. Hopefully there will be a spur. That is natural."
Reds vice-captain Jordan Henderson echoed his manager's views, claiming that honouring their rivals will act as additional motivation heading into the match.
Daniel Lewis
