Liverpool fans party into the night at Anfield as they celebrate first title win in 30 years

Thousands of Liverpool fans partied into the night outside Anfield as they celebrated the club's first league title win in 30 years.

Supporters flocked to the stadium to toast their Premier League triumph despite social distancing guidance due to the coronavirus, waving flags and setting off flares.

Fans continued celebrations into the early hours of Friday morning, with roads being closed by police as crowds gathered.

Second-placed Manchester City had to win at Chelsea to prolong the Reds' wait for at least another week but fell to a 2-1 defeat on Thursday night.

It means Jurgen Klopp's side have won the title - the club's first since 1990 - with a record seven games to spare.

Liverpool's remarkable league campaign has seen them win 28 of their 31 fixtures.

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.

The Reds' title success is the 19th in the club's history, moving them one behind Manchester United's English record.

Liverpool will take to the field for the first time as champions next Thursday, when they travel to Man City.

Within an hour of Thursday night's result, thousands of fans had gathered outside the stadium, lighting red flares and singing football songs.

Many fans were seen hugging and one man stood with his arm around a cardboard cut out of manager Jurgen Klopp.

Others carried flags and scarves while some fans brought crates of beer.

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!"

Many fans wore face masks for the gathering and shortly before 11pm, Merseyside Police announced road closures would be put in place.

Cars have gathered outside of Anfield and beeping horns can be heard as well as the sound of fireworks.

Some police officers could be seen in the area as fans celebrated but no attempts were made to disperse the good-natured crowd.

Liverpool City Council told fans to "have a great party" but maintain social distancing as they celebrated.

The Premier League restarted earlier this month after pausing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with games now played behind closed doors.

Supporter Anthony Nesbitt, six, was outside Anfield with his father Anthony, mother Marilyn and six-month-old brother Georgie, as well as a cardboard cutout of Sadio Mane.

The family, who live nearby, had been in Stanley Park as the match was played.