26.06.20
12:30
Sport
Celebrations across Liverpool as 30-year wait for league title over
Fireworks lit up the skies across Liverpool on Thursday night as the city's Anfield heroes were officially crowned as winners of the English Premier League.
Bars across the city remain shut because of the COVID-19 lockdown, but a wave of celebrations swept through across this northern port city.
Instead of packing pubs and bars, people gathered in parks and in city squares, with roars and cheers drowning out the sounds of car horns as the decision was confirmed.
Liverpool FC is the English football top-flight champions for the first time in 30 years. The club's captain Jordan Henderson was born 30 years ago, so the win provided him with the perfect birthday present.
Many fans gathered outside the Anfield Stadium, their excitement at winning against a plea by club and city hall leaders to stay away from the football ground.
Red flares were lit, illuminating the famous gateways into the stadium.
Police had to close roads leading to Anfield to stop an army of fans reaching the ground.
The famous club anthem, 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was sung by many fans as the party atmosphere gained momentum.
It didn't have the roar of the Kop Choir, but given the unusual circumstances, it was still a spectacle on a night to remember.
Celebrations and a parade through the city will have to wait until the pandemic restrictions are finally over.
City Hall officials issued a friendly warning to fans, saying "Thirty years wait is over for all the reds in our city. Have a great party, but remember social distancing rules are still in place."
They too joined in the excitement, bathing the city's landmark building, St George's Hall, in red, the club's color.
As people hugged and cheered, those social distancing rules were ignored as victory fever spread rapidly.
Downtown Liverpool was crowded as men, women and children, many in LFC shorts, danced in the streets in celebrations destined to go on into the early hours,
Anfield favorite Kenny Dalglish, the last manager to win the league title with Liverpool, paid a glowing tribute to club manager Jurgen Klopp who steered the club to victory in what has been an incredible season at Anfield.
Klopp was in tears as he spoke about the win on Sky television, but his success has guaranteed him a place in the Anfield Hall of Fame as one of the club's greatest managers.
Liverpool FC owner, American John W. Henry, also joined in the celebrations.
"This was a season for the ages and for the faithful of Liverpool Football Club. It has been an incredible year of magnificent achievement culminating tonight in capturing the Premier League title," said Henry in a message to fans.
The city has already started to think of how the club can be properly thanked for their success. The biggest party of the decade awaits.
TV BRICS reports with reference to Xinhua News Agency.