Pep Guardiola has 'told' Arsenal what to do with Liverpool guard of honour after Bernardo Silva controversy

Liverpool could receive a guard of honour from title rivals Arsenal in the coming weeks and Pep Guardiola has already told his protege Mikel Arteta how to approach the situation.

Champions League finalists Arsenal dropped points at home to Crystal Palace, drawing 2-2 after Jean-Philippe Mateta produced a stunning finish from a William Saliba mistake.

It means Liverpool are within touching distance of a second Premier League title, with a point at home to Spurs crowning Arne Slot's men champions on Sunday.

There are only four games remaining for Arsenal and they are 12 points behind Liverpool, who have lost just two games all season in the Premier League.

The Reds can therefore win the league with four matches to spare and could therefore be given a guard of honour on multiple occasions.

Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will likely be the first team to pay respect but it could be that Arsenal give a guard of honour to the team that pipped them to the title as both sides meet on May 11.

Previously, when Liverpool beat Manchester City to win the Premier League for the first time under Jurgen Klopp in 2020, their first game as champions was against Guardiola's side.

But Guardiola showed class and encouraged his team to pay their respects to Liverpool. Speaking before a 4-0 victory, he said: "We will greet Liverpool, when they come to our house, in an incredible way. "We are going to do it because they deserve it."

City did the guard of honour at the Etihad Stadium but Liverpool fans were left furious by a perceived lack of effort from Bernardo Silva, who wasn't overly committed to the gesture and did not appear to clap as he supped a hot drink while Liverpool players walked past.

A month on from the controversy, City were knocked out of the Champions League by Lyon and Liverpool fans proceeded to go after the Portugal international online.

Silva then responded by branding the supporters "pathetic" and told them to "read a book".

Bernardo Silva did not participate in the guard of honour. Image: Getty

He posted: "And to all Liverpool fans that have nothing else to do than to come to a Man City player account, I'm also sorry for you but for the wrong reasons...pathetic... go celebrate your titles, or try to find a partner, drink a beer with a friend, read a book... so many options!"