Liverpool fans celebrate Premier League victory
Police have attempted to stop people illegally gathering to celebrate the victory amid fears of mass COVID-19 transmission.
Night of celebration
Thousands of FC Liverpool fans descended on Anfield football stadium on Thursday night, immediately after Liverpool won the Premier League title after a 30-year drought. Liverpool won the title with a record seven games to spare.
Ignored calls not to congregate
There was little effort to social distance among the jubilant crowds, with fans hugging and singing football songs. It came despite calls not to congregate from the team's beloved German football manager Jürgen Klopp, as well as police and local authorities. Police made no attempt to disperse the good-natured crowds.
Two days running
After Thursday night's initial celebrations, police issued a dispersal order when fans started to gather in the city center again on Friday. Fans were urged to go home over fears of a COVID-19 surge. "COVID-19 is still a major risk and our city has already lost far too many people to the illness," Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said. The UK has one of the world's highest coronavirus death tolls.
30-year drought
Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions when Chelsea beat Manchester City on Thursday. They last won the title in 1990. Manager Jürgen Klopp, who completely reversed the fortunes of the squad, hailed it as "an incredible achievement." No other team has ever taken victory with seven games left and Liverpool also look set to challenge Manchester City's record points tally and margin record.
Another historic first
Klopp became the first German manager to win a Premier League title. The former Borussia Dortmund coach was visibly emotional in an interview with Sky after the victory became official, saying: "It's the best thing I can imagine and more than I could have ever dreamed of. It's unbelievable. Much more than I ever thought would be possible."
For the love of club and coach
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson hailed Klopp after clinching the league title. "We want to perform for the manager, for the football club, for the city," the midfielder said to BBC. "When you win, he's on the dance floor and partying but to be honest, when we lose, the way he handles that is incredible," Henderson said of Klopp.