Liverpool fans must wait to celebrate Premier League title win together ‘until time is right’, Jurgen Klopp insists

Reds supporters gathered in the city centre on Friday night, causing a “significant disorder”

Jack Rathborn
Monday 29 June 2020 10:14 BST
Comments
Police take extra powers in Liverpool as Liver Building burns amid celebrations

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool fans must wait to celebrate the club’s Premier League title together “until the time is right”.

The club accused some Reds supporters of “wholly unacceptable” behaviour after a mass gathering in the city centre on Friday night led to what police described as a “significant disorder”.

A fire was put out at the Liver Building, while 34 people were injured, three seriously.

And Klopp conceded he “did not love” the scenes on Friday, while informing supporters that they “owe it to the most vulnerable” not to do this.

“I am a human being and your passion is also my passion, but right now the most important thing is that we do not have these kind of public gatherings,” Klopp said in an open letter in the Liverpool Echo.

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool
Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool (PA)

“We owe it to the most vulnerable in our community, to the health workers who have given so much and whom we have applauded, and to the police and local authorities who help us as a club not to do this.

“Please – celebrate – but celebrate in a safe way and in private settings, whereby we do not risk spreading this awful disease further in our community.”

Both the club and Mayor Joe Anderson have condemned the behaviour of supporters, with Klopp underlining the importance of not “wasting” the efforts to combat Covid-19.

“If things were different I would love nothing more than to celebrate together,” Klopp added. “To have a parade that would be even bigger than the one after we won the Champions League last year, so that we could all share this special moment, but it just is not possible.

“We have all done so much to fight Covid-19 and this effort cannot go to waste.

“When the time is right we will celebrate. But for now, please stay at home as much as possible.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in