Liverpool fans gathered in their numbers to enjoy the club’s Premier League success on Thursday night.
Liverpool supporters broke social distancing guidelines as fans gathered in the city in their masses to celebrate the club’s Premier League title triumph on Thursday night.
The Reds were crowned English champions, winning their first title in 30 years, after Manchester City lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
That meant that with seven games to spare, the Merseyside club are uncatchable atop the table, having built up a 23-point lead over City.
Liverpool are 18-time champions of England but their last title was in 1990 and overjoyed in the moment, fans gathered in their numbers across Merseyside to celebrate their long-awaited success.
Thousands congregated outside of Anfield to celebrate – despite the government’s social distancing guidelines still being in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The virus has meant that the remaining matches of the Premier League season have had to be played behind closed doors, with mass gatherings in the country banned and lockdown restrictions having been steadily eased in recent months.
Pubs, hotels and restaurants will reopen on July 4 in the latest batch of restrictions to be eased.
But the advice of authorities for people to still remain one metre apart from one another was very much ignored in Liverpool as thousands met together to let off flares, fireworks and toast their team’s triumph – particularly outside the club’s home stadium.
Liverpool’s first-team squad also watched the match between Chelsea and City together at Formby Hall, with footage emerging of the players huddled in celebration at the final whistle while chanting: “Champions, champions, ole ole ole.”
Just hours before Liverpool were crowned champions, England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned that cases of COVID-19 will rise again if guidelines are not adhered to.
Professor Whitty wrote: “COVID-19 has gone down due to the efforts of everyone but is still in general circulation.
“If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again. Naturally people will want to enjoy the sun but we need to do so in a way that is safe for all.”
More than 43,000 people have died due to the coronavirus in the United Kingdom, with 149 deaths reported by the Department of Health on Thursday.
Back in May, Liverpool were furious at the city’s Mayor, Joe Anderson, for suggesting supporters would gather in their thousands outside Anfield for the club’s final games of the season.
Anderson said: “Even if it was behind closed doors, there would be many thousands of people who would turn up outside Anfield.”
“There’s not many people who would respect what we were saying and stay away from the ground. A lot of people would come to celebrate so I think it’s a non-starter.”
In a statement, Liverpool responded: “As a club, we are aware of and disappointed by comments attributed to Mayor Joe Anderson in a media interview which was published today.
“As well as a lack of evidence to support such claims, we would also point to recent discussions with Mayor Anderson relating to the possibility of any behind-closed-doors football, which concluded that it is important that key stakeholders across the city continue to engage and work collaboratively.
“In recent weeks, we have engaged with supporters groups who have informed us of their determination to respect social distancing measures and, in the event of a resumption of football being announced, we would continue to work with them and other key stakeholders in keeping with our collective desire to achieve this crucial objective.”
But the club could not prevent the scenes of jubilation outside Anfield as Liverpool fans soaked up the club’s long-awaited win.
And Liverpool manager Klopp said of his team’s achievement: “I have no words, its unbelievable.
“Its much more than I ever thought would be possible, becoming champion with this club is absolutely incredible.
“Its an incredible achievement from my players, what they did over the last three years is just exceptional. A pure joy for me to coach them.
“My coaching staff, I couldnt be more proud of what they did in the last years, what all the people of Liverpool did.
“Its just a really exciting ride, from the first day I arrived, and its not over yet, thats the good thing.
“The team is downstairs, we obviously watched the game together, they all looked like they have a few good years together, so we should try.
“But for tonight, we will just enjoy this moment and its the best thing I can imagine. Its more than I ever dreamed of, to be honest.”
