AT LAST!
Liverpool fans in dreamland as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are crowned Premier League champions for first time in 30 years
LIVERPOOL fans were in dreamland last night after the Reds finally ended their 30 year wait to be crowned champions of England.
They won their first ever Premier League title after Manchester City lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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The reigning European champions waited for three decades – including falling agonisingly short by one point to City last season – to clinch their 19th league title, sparking wild celebrations in the city.
Jubilant fans celebrated by setting off red flares and spraying drinks outside Anfield as they finally ended 30 years of hurt.
At one point, it looked as if Liverpool – 22 points clear at the top - might have had the title snatched away from them as the coronavirus pandemic threatened to wipe out the season.
Jurgen Klopp’s swashbuckling side have enjoyed the most dominant campaign in the history of the English top flight, and are on track to end up with a record points total.
Speaking after his side's title win, the German said: "I have no words, it's unbelievable. It's much more than I ever thought would be possible, becoming champion with this club is absolutely incredible."
He added: "It was really tense, the 95 or 100 minutes of the City game, as you can imagine. I didn't want to be involved really but obviously as you're watching you are involved.
"It was quite intense. But it was an incredible achievement of my players, what they did over the last two or three years is exceptional and a huge joy for me to coach them."
Outside Anfield, fireworks went off and fans waved flags and sang: "We've gone and won the league."
Geoff Garner, 72, from Walton, said he had been a Liverpool fan since 1961.
He said: "I thought we would have won it about five times before now!"
Merseyside Police praised the 'overwhelming majority' of fans who observed social distancing during the celebrations but criticised some supporters who gathered outside the stadium.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Carden said Merseyside said: "I would like to congratulate Liverpool FC on deservedly winning the Premier League title, and thank the thousands of Liverpool fans across Merseyside who celebrated at home, as they have for the previous games played behind closed doors.
"The overwhelming majority of fans have recognised the fact that now is not the time to gather together to celebrate, and chose to mark the event safely. They are a credit to this city.
"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.
"In the days ahead, we urge supporters to do the right thing and celebrate safely with members of your household and in your social bubble."
Liverpool will take to the field for the first time as champions on Thursday, when they travel to Man City. They can break City's Premier League record of 100 points for a campaign if they go on to win five of their remaining seven matches.
They demolished Crystal Palace 4-0 last night in a dominant display at Anfield and Klopp's only regret was that it was played out in front of an empty stadium when it should have been a night of celebration.
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Kenny Dalglish, who won three league titles as Liverpool manager, said: "I think back then if you'd have said it would take 30 years you'd have been arrested and sectioned, but sometimes things happen.
"The last two years since Klopp came in, it has been very, very positive all the way. He's been fantastic and he epitomises everything that Liverpool stands for."
Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry paid tribute to the team's "magnificent achievement".
"This was a season for the ages and for the faithful of Liverpool Football Club," the American, head of Fenway Sports Group, tweeted.
"It has been an incredible year of magnificent achievement culminating tonight in capturing the Premier League title.
"This in addition to winning a European championship, a Super Cup and a world championship - the totality of this accomplishment has brought respite and joy to so many in a year filled with so much tragedy.
"LFC has made the beautiful game more beautiful than ever."
Comedian and Liverpool fan John Bishop tweeted: "Not how any of us would have planned it but thank you to those players and staff who have taken us back to the top."
Liverpool fan and basketball star LeBron James celebrated the win by tweeting: "Premier League Champions!!! Let's go!"
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When Liverpool were last crowned champions in 1990, there was no Premier League, no Sky TV, Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister and Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U was the number one single in the charts.
Petrol was 47p a litre, a pint of milk was 30p, a loaf of bread 50p, a Mars bar cost 27p, a Big Mac £1.40, a pint of lager £1.19 and the average house price was £57,726.
Since then, Liverpool have won two European cups, three FA Cups, four League Cups and a UEFA Cup – but that all-important league title had eluded them (finishing 2nd in four seasons).
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Until tonight.
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Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in tears as he dedicates title to Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard