Hundreds of Liverpool supporters defied the recommendations of authorities and club coach Jürgen Klopp on Thursday to celebrate the club's first English championship title in 30 years in front of the Anfield Road stadium. The title was decided in London, with the victory of Chelsea (2-1) over Manchester City which placed the Reds out of reach of the latter, double defending champions. But as of the final whistle hundreds of red supporters forgot all caution, despite the call of coach Jürgen Klopp who had enjoined them to be careful.
"We have been waiting for this for 30 years"
"I hope you will stay at home, or go outside your house if you want, but no more," he had recommended to the microphone of the Sky Sports television channel, after having dedicated the title to the fans. Smoke, fireworks, flags, scarves, the whole scarlet red panoply of the LFC supporter was there as people hugged and kissed happily in the street. Many toasts had been brought to the 30 years of unhappiness, studded with disillusionment, since 1990 and the last time that Liverpool reigned over English football. Cars also paraded the streets around the stadium, horns blown in.
Crowds of Liverpool supporters gathered in front of Anfield to celebrate the title.
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"It's incredible, especially for them. We have been waiting for 30 years," commented AFP Marilyn Nesbitt, pointing to her husband and two sons, six years and six months old, whose eldest was agitated a cardboard figurine of winger Sadio Mané.
The family, who live near the stadium, were at Stanley Park during the match, a very large green space that separates the stadiums from Liverpool and its local rival, Everton.
Videos on social networks showed the players gathered to watch the match together in a secret location. Players even interrupted defender Virgil van Dijk as he answered questions from BT Sports live, massing around him to sing "Champions! Champions!" and dance, with 19/20 flocked jerseys, like the title season. In the center of Liverpool, the town hall and the famous Saint-George's Hall, an administrative building but with ancient temple architecture, were lit up in club colors.