Joy as Liverpool toast to Premier League title

Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for the English title when on Thursday they were crowned champions of the Premier League, sparking ecstatic scenes when supporters defied social distance to celebrate uproar.

Jurgen Klopp 's men sealed a 19th-league title with a remarkable seven games remaining since Chelsea's 2-1 defeat of second-placed Manchester City left an uncrossable 23-point adrift on the 2018 and 2019 champions.

The first English title from Liverpool since 1990 – further delayed by the suspension of the coronavirus – wins them their first trophy in the Premier League, which was launched in 1992 and won by their arch-rivals Manchester United 13 times.

After Liverpool's long-awaited win, which follows their Champions League and Club World Cup victories last year, Klopp was in tears when they finished just one point in the Premier League behind City.

"I'm absolutely exhausted, it's such a huge moment," an emotional Klopp told Sky Sports. "It is out there for you tonight.

"This is fantastic. I hope you stay at home, or if you want to go in front of your door, but no more. In this moment, we are doing it together and it's a joy to do it for you.

However, millions of supporters merged on Anfield, many in face masks, lighting flares, chanting and celebrating with a replica trophy, while drivers drove up and beeped their horns.

Kudos to basketball star LeBron James, actor Samuel L. Jackson and former tennis player Caroline Wozniacki among those who paid tribute from around the world.

Liverpool, who were terrifyingly close to glory before the coronavirus forced the suspension of English football in March, crushed Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday at their Anfield home ground to remain on the verge of the championship.

To keep the Premier League alive, City needed to win at Stamford Bridge but slid to a 2-1 defeat.

Liverpool's 19th English title, placing them one behind United's record haul of 20, owes a great deal to Klopp 's revolutionary effect.

Captain Jordan Henderson said, "We followed him and believed him. "It has been an incredible journey.

"I hope there's more in there. We just keep hungry, we just want more and we just follow him.

Liverpool clinched the title earlier than any other Premier League champions, breaking City and Manchester United 's previous record of five games left shared.

Yet Liverpool fans around the world have been waiting agonizing, with the coronavirus shutdown causing them to put the champagne on ice.

Social media videos showed many of Liverpool's players watching the Chelsea match in a hotel together.

"We 're not going to tell you the exact location but as a team, we 're all in a hotel together," Liverpool star Andrew Robertson said''

Liverpool spent several years in the shadow of Manchester United arch-rivals during the Alex Ferguson era, before being left behind by Manchester City and Chelsea's massive spending.

Under manager Brendan Rodgers, they infamously squandered a glorious chance to win the championship in 2014, when Reds captain Steven Gerrard suffered a costly mistake in a late-season loss on Chelsea.

Yet after an epic campaign that could end in record-breaking style, the Klopp 's squad are deserving champions.

Liverpool are on track to surpass the record total of 100 points set by Manchester City in 2017⁄18.

Klopp, the first German manager to win the Premier League, was Liverpool's renaissance builder from the arrival of the former Borussia Dortmund boss in 2015.

The dynamic Klopp has earned his place alongside Liverpool's legendary former managers Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish, infusing his players with a belief in his "heavy metal" football and high-tempo "against-pressing" game plan.

"He embodies everything that Liverpool Football Club stands for. He appreciates it, he values all who work at the club, "said of the German Dalglish, architect of the 1990 title of Liverpool.

Klopp led the club to the Champions League last season but, despite finishing with a record 97 points for top-flight runners-up, Liverpool was pipped by City to the Premier League title.

Yet with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino forming a formidable front three, Henderson a valiant midfield force, and Virgil van Dijk in the back, Liverpool left City trailing in their wake of this term.

"This is the truth, we 're too far behind," said Pep Guardiola, the city manager. "Liverpool has been great right through the season in consistency.