Danny Murphy claims Kevin de Bruyne will be clapping players who “can’t even lace his boots” when Manchester City give Liverpool a guard of honour on Thursday night.
It’s a tradition to give the champions a guard of honour in their remaining fixtures after being crowned champions, with Liverpool wrapping up the title when City lost to Chelsea last week.
Liverpool are currently 23 points clear of the second-placed City, who they dethroned with their first title triumph in 30 years, and Pep Guardiola confirmed that his side will lead out the Reds before clapping them onto the pitch on Thursday.
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After missing out to City by a point last season, European champions Liverpool have been dominant this term, securing the title with a record seven games to spare, winning 28 of 31 matches.
But Murphy thinks the Liverpool players could be feeling “awkward” and “uncomfortable” walking past City players clapping them onto the pitch.
Murphy told talkSPORT: “It’s a perception of respect, ‘the right thing to do’, the message you’re trying to send to the football world that when somebody wins, that you show respect and grace.
“The fact City will be doing it on Thursday will show humility, saying ‘well done’ to Liverpool and appreciation for their quality.
“I think it’s a load of nonsense! I don’t know where it started and why it started, I would feel uncomfortable doing it.
“I’d do it because you have to do it, but I wouldn’t want to do it, because it’s not done with sincerity.
“If I was a Liverpool player and United won the league, you know they’re better than you, you respect that and you’re trying your best to be like them, so they know you respect 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.
“Kevin De Bruyne is the best midfielder, probably, in the world, and he’s clapping his hands and giving a guard of honour to players who can’t even lace his boots!
“And if I’d won it, by the way, if I was walking through, I’d feel awkward. I’d feel uncomfortable.
“I understand why the powers that be created it, because it does give off the right message to those watching.
“But I don’t see the point.”
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