Liverpool mayor slams football fans partying a second night

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Liverpool FC today condemned thousands of fans who celebrated the club’s Premier League title with a massive party in the city centre while ignoring Covid-19 restrictions. 

Council workers in Liverpool this morning battled to collect hundreds of tonnes of rubbish strewn across the city after football fans celebrated winning the league for the first time in 30 years. 

Tens of thousands of fans packed into the city centre despite warnings over the spread of Covid-19 to celebrate for the second night in a row. 

A police chief said officers had glasses and bottles thrown at them in violent confrontations with Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League win. 

Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jon Roy said the two officers needed medical treatment for injuries to their backs after bottles were thrown at them as they went to help an assault victim in a crowd of supporters at the Pier Head on Friday night.

He said later a group of about 100 people threw glasses and bottles at riot police as they tried to stop them committing acts of disorder in the city centre.   

The city’s iconic Liver Building was briefly set alight after it was struck by a firework, while a man was stabbed to death last night during a house party on Merseyside. 

The club today condemned the behaviour of fans who ignored appeals to stay away from the city centre. 

In a joint statement with the city council and Merseyside Police, the club said: ‘Several thousand people turned up at the Pier Head on Friday June 26 and some chose to ignore the social distancing guidance and risk public safety.

‘Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.

‘The potential danger of a second peak of Covid-19 still exists and we need to work together to make sure we don’t undo everything that has been achieved as a region during lockdown.

‘When it is safe to do so, we will all work together to arrange a victory parade when everyone can come together to celebrate.

‘Until that time, the safety of our city and our people continues to be our number one priority.’   

The cause of the fire is not yet clear, but stray fireworks were seen hitting the front of the building moments before. Police later issued a dispersal order around the city centre.  

Mr Roy said: ‘The crowd largely dispersed by about 1.30am and a short time later officers were confronted by a group of people more than 100 strong who sought confrontation with the police.

‘They were committing acts of disorder and then threw glasses and bottles at the police when they tried to intervene.

‘Specially trained officers in protective kit had to disperse them and we then had a number of really violent, absolutely unacceptable, incidents of violence and disorder throughout the city centre.’  

Deputy chief executive of the North West Ambulance Service Mick Forrest said crews were sent to 34 emergencies around the city’s waterfront and 27 patients were taken to hospital, three in a serious condition, while seven patients were treated on scene. 

Merseyside fire and rescue said: ‘We were alerted to a small fire on a patch of astroturf. Firefighters have dealt with the incident and the fire is now out.’ 

The Reds, who had to endure a three-month wait for glory amid the coronavirus pandemic, were crowned champions on Thursday after Manchester City failed to beat Chelsea. 

However for a second night in a row crowds of fans flocked to the city centre to let off flares, chant and celebrate the title win, while ignoring social distancing measures. 

Merseyside Police have been given additional powers to prevent fans from gathering for a third night in a row. They will be able to disperse any fans seeking to congregate in the city. 

In response the Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson urged people to leave the area because it is not safe and that the city has already lost ‘far too many people to the illness’. 

And he warned that a curfew could be put in place as part of plans to tackle anti-social behaviour.  

Sharing a picture of the busy scenes in Liverpool last night Joe Anderson tweeted: ‘There is clearly to many people intoxicated and causing anti social behaviour, around City Centre, Please I urge you leave the City centre now it is not safe.

‘Merseyside Police will take action against people not obeying rules Covid-19 is still a real risk.’

He added: ‘I am really concerned about scenes at Pier Head tonight. I appreciate #LFC fans want to celebrate but please, for your own safety, and that of others, go home and celebrate at home. Covid-19 is still a major risk and our city has already lost far too many people to the illness.’

In a separate Tweet in response to people who had asked him why fans were not being moved on he said that councils don’t have the power to do this.

He also urged people to message friends that are there to ask them to come home. 

Official figures show Liverpool registered 544 coronavirus-related deaths up to 12 June and 1,677 cases up to 25 June. 

On Thursday some 5,000 fans managed to surround the Anfield stadium before police sealed off roads leading to it, though they made no move to break up the party. 

A handful of police vans and uniformed officers waited near the ground – though the celebrations were peaceful despite a lack of social distancing. A police helicopter was also seen circling the ground. 

Manchester City’s defeat gave Liverpool a first title win since 1990, ending 30 years of hurt and near-misses after multiple second place finishes. 

Thursday’s result leaves Jurgen Klopp’s men 23 points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side with just 21 left to play for.  

It is confirmation of what has been apparent for a long time, given Liverpool’s dominance during the campaign, of which there was further evidence on Wednesday evening when they thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0.  

Liverpool, who narrowly missed out on the title to Manchester City last season, have been in stellar form all seasons, losing just one match on their path to glory. 

Though the title had been destined to head to Merseyside because of Liverpool’s huge lead, there were fears the coronavirus pandemic would cause the season to be cancelled, potentially breaking the hearts of fans.