Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson has claimed that giving Premier League champions Chelsea their guard of honour will inspire his side to push for the title next year.

The London club will receive the pre-match applause when they face Liverpool tomorrow afternoon.

Henderson admits that it will be tough to applaud his rivals, but says that the club can take inspiration from it.

"You have to respect the team because they have been the best team over the season," the Evening Standard quotes him as saying. "Of course it will be difficult doing that but you have to pay your respects.

"If [the guard of honour] does happen you have to remember the feeling that it is what we want to achieve. You have to bottle that and make sure next season we can have a really good go and use it as motivation and drive to push on."

Henderson and Liverpool still have slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, but Manchester United are four points ahead with three games left to play.