Manchester City prepare to give Liverpool a guard of honour, but it's not always a treat for the players - in pictures

The traditional salute can come at an awkward time for the stars and the fans

Gabriel Heinze of Manchester United leads out his team as they receive a guard of honour from Chelsea players in 2007. Getty

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar leads out the Manchester United team through a guard of honour formed by Blackpool in 2011. Getty

Manchester United star Robin van Persie walks past his former Arsenal teammates in 2013. Getty

Arsenal players form a guard of honour for Premier League champions Manchester United led by Patrice Evra in 2013. Getty

Captain John Terry leads Chelsea through a guard of honour by the Liverpool players in 2015. Getty

Leicester City receive a guard of honour from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2016 . Getty

Leicester City players receive the guard of honour from Chelsea players in 2016. Getty

Sunderland create a guard of honour for Chelsea in 2017. Getty

West Ham players create a guard of honour for Manchester City in 2018. Getty

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool stars will receive a guard of honour from Manchester City players at the Etihad on Thursday night.

It's a Premier League tradition for opponents to form the guard for the latest champions as they walk on to the pitch.

But it is not something the players always relish.

One of the most famous in Premier League history was when Arsenal agreed to give United a guard of honour after they strolled to the title in 2012/13.

It was a painful experience for Arsenal players and particularly their fans as striker Robin van Persie walked out in the United kit, having controversially moved to Old Trafford from the Gunners the previous summer.

Liverpool gave Chelsea a guard of honour in 2015 at Stamford Bridge, while Leicester and Claudio Ranieri marked their Premier League success a year later, with the Chelsea team and coaches forming two lines to clap the champions on to the pitch.

Klopp, meanwhile, expects Liverpool to face a stern challenge for their Premier League title from Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea next season.

They clinched the trophy with seven games to spare after moving 23 points clear of second-placed City ahead of the meeting between the sides.

City set a Premier League record with 100 points when they cantered to the title two years ago, while last season Pep Guardiola's team pipped Liverpool to the silverware on the last day.

As Klopp prepares for City to give Liverpool a guard of honour at the Etihad Stadium, he said the result of their latest clash would not be a marker for next season.

"Whatever people say, it will not be important for next season because for sure we [Liverpool and City] both have to be ready," Klopp said.

"We see United coming up. People thought they had no chance but we see with one or two players how good they are and how good they can be, and for sure they will not be worse next season, and now there is Chelsea as well."