Jurgen Klopp urges Liverpool fans to celebrate when 'the time is right'

German manager asks supporters not to gather in large numbers while the threat from Covid-19 remains high

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool on Friday, June 26. PA

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. PA

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. PA

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. PA

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. PA

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. PA

Fireworks go off outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. PA

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. PA

Fireworks go off outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. PA

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. PA

Liverpool fans celebrate outside Anfield on Friday, the second day of partying. PA

Liverpool fan Paul Davies poses with a cut out trophy outside Anfield stadium in Liverpool. AFP

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool. AP

Liverpool fans celebrate outside Anfield on Friday, the second day of partying. PA

Liverpool fans celebrate outside Anfield on Friday, the second day of partying. AFP

Liverpool fans of various generations celebrate outside Anfield stadium. EPA

Liverpool fans from different generations pose next to the statue of legendary former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly outside Anfield. EPA

Liverpool fans celebrating outside Anfield stadium. EPA

Liverpool fans celebrate outside Anfield on Friday, the second day of partying. EPA

Liverpool fan gather in celebration outside Anfield stadium. AFP

Liverpool fans pose with a trophy-shaped balloon outside Anfield stadium. AFP

Liverpool fans celebrate outside Anfield on Friday, the second day of partying. PA

Liverpool fans hold a flag with the No 19 for their 19th league title outside Anfield. AFP

Banners and flags hung up by Liverpool ] fans flutter from a fence outside the Kop end of Anfield stadium. EPA

Liverpool fans mingle next to the Kop end of Anfield. EPA

Liverpool fans hang up a celebratory banner on a fence outside Anfield stadium. EPA

Jurgen Klopp has urged Liverpool fans to celebrate when "the time is right" after thousands gathered on the city's waterfront on Friday night.

Supporters gathered at the Pier Head for a second night of celebrations after the club became champions of England for the first time in 30 years on Thursday.

A number of arrests were made as glasses and bottles were thrown at police officers as the celebrations continued in the city centre into the early hours.

Merseyside Police said £10,000 worth of damage was caused to the Liver Building after a firework landed on a balcony.

The Premier League campaign is currently being played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In an open letter to the Liverpool Echo newspaper, Klopp wrote of his love for the fans' passion, commitment and understanding of the game as he thanked them and the city for helping the club to win the Premier League title.

But he was not impressed with the scenes at the weekend. "What I did not love – and I have to say this – was the scenes that took place at the Pier Head on Friday," he wrote.

"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.

"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."

Liverpool's title was secured with a record seven games left after Chelsea beat second-placed Manchester City on Thursday.

Klopp continued:  "If things were different I would love nothing more than to celebrate together, 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. We will enjoy this moment and we will paint the city red. But for now, please stay at home as much as possible.

"This is not the time to be in the city centre in big numbers or to go near football grounds."