Liverpool's mayor Joe Anderson has encouraged Reds fans to "go home" after a second night of wild celebrations in the city following the club's title triumph.
Jurgen Klopp's side ended a 30-year wait to be crowned champions of England on Thursday night as Chelsea's 2-1 victory over incumbents Manchester City handed them the Premier League title following an unprecedentedly dominant campaign.
All Premier League games are currently being played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed almost half a million people worldwide, including more than 43,000 in the UK.
The UK remains under strict social distancing guidelines amid the possibility of a second wave of the disease, but those rules were flouted in the wake of Liverpool's triumph on Thursday as thousands flocked to Anfield to celebrate.
The party continued on Friday night as jubilant supporters continued to ignore the restrictions, forcing the mayor and the police to intervene.
Writing on Twitter, Mayor Anderson said: "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."
He later added: "There is clearly too many people intoxicated and causing anti social behaviour, around City Centre, Please I urge you leave the City centre now it is not safe. @MerseyPolice will take action against people not obeying rules Covid-19 is still a real risk."
Merseyside Police issued a dispersal order in an attempt to remove the crowd, but Liverpool City Council later admitted that the attempts were proving futile. "We cannot move fans or take action to prevent them gathering. We do not have the power to do this," a statement read.
"If you know someone out celebrating right now, please message them and ask them to bring the celebration home."
Multiple videos that went viral on Twitter showed a firework being aimed at the iconic Liver building, with fans then seen cheering as it hit.
Here's one of those unfortunate strays at the liver building pic.twitter.com/8AfmBdNjU1
— MICHAEL (@mickybluey) June 26, 2020
Pathetic and embarrassing behaviour by Liverpool fans, the Liver building was lit up blue, so in response it gets set on fire! Disgraceful
— ⚽ Simon BRFC Hopkins ⚽ (@HopkinsBRFC) June 26, 2020
pic.twitter.com/OIgq61NFU8
The unbridled celebrations come after Liverpool Council confirmed that a title parade will go ahead in the city "when it is safe to do so, lockdown restrictions have eased and the infection rate of the virus has been reduced".
Neil Wilkes
