Liverpool: 2,000 fans celebrate outside Anfield after side win Premier League

Thousands of Liverpool fans have been celebrating outside Anfield after their team won the Premier League - their first top-flight league title in 30 years.

About 100 supporters had gathered near the stadium, as the final whistle blew at Stamford Bridge in west London where Chelsea beat Manchester City 2-1.

Fireworks went off as fans waved flags and sang: "We've gone and won the league." Many wore face masks and some lit flares.

Within half an hour of the end of the game, the number of supporters had swelled to 2,000.

Cars also gathered outside the ground, with some beeping horns as they passed.

Police condemned the huge number of fans who filled the streets outside Anfield, with Assistant Chief Constable Rob Carden saying Merseyside had been "disproportionately affected" by the coronavirus pandemic.

He said its residents had a responsibility to prevent further cases, adding: "Unfortunately, as we have seen throughout the lockdown period, not everyone adhered to the regulations in place.

"Although the vast majority of celebrations were good natured, a large number of people chose to gather outside the stadium."

Geoff Garner, 72, who has been a Liverpool fan since 1961, said: "I thought we would have won it about five times before now!"

The club secured its first top-flight league title in England in 30 years with seven games to spare.

Matches are being played behind closed doors following the recent resumption of the Premier League, after it was paused for three months due to the pandemic.

Man City, currently second in the table, had needed to win to stop the Reds being crowned champions on Thursday night.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports: "I have no words. It is unbelievable, much more than I thought was possible. Becoming champions with this club is absolutely incredible.

"The Manchester City game was really tense, I didn't want to be involved."

He added: "What they (his players) have done over the last few years is exceptional and it's a pure joy for me to coach them.

"There's a sense of relief because after the three-month interruption no one knew how the season would come back.

"This is for all of the fans. It's all in our hearts and our heads, we do it all together and it's a joy to do this for the fans."

He ended his interview by saying: "This is a big moment, I have no real words. I am completely overwhelmed. I never thought I would feel like this."

The visibly-emotional Reds boss then left, appearing tearful.

Liverpool owner John W Henry tweeted: "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."

Former Liverpool captain and now Sky Sports pundit, Graeme Souness, said: "They've been fabulous, this team.

"This is a special team. This is the team, going forward, you can't say they'll win it every year but they'll come very close to winning this trophy and the big European one."

Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson told Sky Sports: "We are back on our perch.

"And it's been a pleasure to watch."