Roy Keane has defended the tradition of guard of honours in football, dismissing claims from Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch that the practice is "awkward" and "embarrassing".
The former Manchester United captain believes the gesture remains an important sign of respect in the modern game.
Liverpool are set to receive a guard of honour from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday following their Premier League title triumph last weekend.
The debate has intensified ahead of the fixture, with Keane taking a firm stance against his former teammate Ferdinand.
Roy Keane defended the guard of honour after Chelsea gave one to Liverpool
PA
The Reds secured the Premier League title with four games to spare after a commanding 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Sunday's match at Stamford Bridge will be Liverpool's first outing since clinching the championship.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed his side will honour the tradition before kick-off.
It is also expected that Arsenal will provide a similar welcome when Liverpool play their first home game as champions the following weekend at Anfield.
Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Sunday's match, Keane said: "Do you know what? In the game to get respect, you have to show respect."
The Irishman continued: "Now, a lot of people might not like it. Obviously it's nice when you get it, but you have to give it. It's part of the game."
"It would be different if it were real rivals, say Manchester City vs Manchester United or Everton vs Liverpool. But I think you have to do it, it's part of the game. Respect."
"To get respect, you have to show it. It works both ways."
Ferdinand, speaking on TNT Sports, took a different view: "I didn't like it. I've been fortunate enough to receive a guard of honor and be on the receiving end of it, and both are quite awkward."
The guard of honour is traditionally given to those crowned champions before the season ends
Reuters
Former Liverpool striker Crouch agreed, stating: "I don't like it. I think it's a bit embarrassing for the team that comes out and it's highly embarrassing for the team that is clapping them on the field. It's not for me."
Despite these objections, Maresca confirmed Chelsea would honour the tradition: "It's tradition. We have to do that, and we are going to do that. They won the Premier League, so they deserve it."
This is not the first time Liverpool have been involved in guard of honour ceremonies in recent years.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Chelsea fans were not happy with the guard of honour
Reuters
After winning the Premier League title in 2020, the Reds received guards of honour from Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea.
The tradition works both ways, of course.
When Chelsea claimed the Premier League in the 2014/15 season, Liverpool welcomed the Londoners onto the pitch with a guard of honour before a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The custom continues to divide opinion among football's elite, but remains firmly part of the game's traditions.
