Fergie leads plaudits, police slam revelry
UNRULY FANS Authorities warn Liverpool’s fans celebrating Premier League win to stay home amid fears of spike in Covid-19 cases
NEW DELHI: Former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, whose dominant reign had eclipsed all rivals in the Premier League era, led the praise for new champions Liverpool but authorities slammed fans for ignoring precautions for Covid-19 with unbridled celebrations.
Fans gathered at the Liverpool city centre and the Mersey Ferry terminal for a second night with scant regard for social distancing norms. Merseyside police issued a dispersal order, which they said would be in force until Sunday. “Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable,” Liverpool club, Merseyside police and the city council said in a joint statement. Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson urged fans to return home. “I am really concerned about scenes at Pier Head. I appreciate LFC fans want to celebrate but please, for your own safety, and that of others, go home and celebrate at home,” he said.
The team, having won the first Premier League title to end a 30-year-wait, also condemned the reckless fan behaviour. Local media reported that fireworks launched at the Royal Liver Building led to a fire on the balcony of the landmark owned by
Farhad Moshiri, majority shareholder of city rivals Everton. Fire engines arrived and put out the blaze but the extent of damage was unclear. Under lockdown restrictions in England, groups are limited to six people. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock has issued a warning on crowd control amid mounting concerns over poor adherence to social distancing rules.
“When it is safe to do so, we will all work together to arrange a victory parade when everyone can come together to celebrate,” Liverpool police said in a statement.
Ferguson, as manager of Manchester United’s 13 Premier League titles the most influential in keeping Liverpool waiting, led the praise for Jurgen Klopp’s team. He sent a text message to Liverpool legend and fellow Scot Kenny Dalglish, the central figure as player and manager in the club’s pomp until 1990. Ferguson, who managed United from 1986 to 2013, had famously declared he wanted to knock Liverpool of their perch.
“He (Ferguson) contacted us to say congratulations by the modern medium,” said Dalglish, who was manager when Liverpool won their last title in the league’s previous avatar, in 1989-90.
“You go through the older generation—Fergie, Brian Kidd, Mike Summerbee; all the old foes who went through football at the same time as us—and at the end of the year you sent a letter of congratulations to say well done. That continues through. It is a great compliment. You are in competition and rivals, but you are magnanimous enough to send a letter saying congratulations. Everyone is in the same game, aren’t they?” Dalglish said.
Current United manager and player under Ferguson, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, said his team will hurt. “First of all, any team that wins the championship deserve it and deserve credit, it’s a hard league to win. Every time you see anyone else lift the trophy it hurts.”
Solskjaer though feels it will difficult for Klopp’s side to replicate the sustained success of the Ferguson era. “The run of titles that we won under Sir Alex, I don’t think that’s going to be easy for anyone to emulate,” said Solskjaer, who won six titles as a player under Ferguson.
Rafa Benitez, who took Liverpool to second in the 2008-9 season, behind United, and guided the Reds to the 2005 UEFA Champions League, tweeted: “Congratulations to Liverpool, after 30 years, the dream comes true! Very happy for all the Reds! You’ll never walk alone.”
Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool lost the 2013-14 title to Manchesmoving ter City by two points. The current Leicester manager said: “Having witnessed it first hand, it’s an incredible moment in their history… I’m delighted for Juergen, and in particular these last few years going so close. I’m delighted for the supporters.”
Liverpool’s all-time leading goal-scorer Ian Rush (346) believes the champions have a relentless work ethic that sets them apart even from the club’s previous great teams. “Times have changed and these players now are so focused and fit. If you look at this lot now they won’t stop, they’ll keep going because they want to win every game. They’ll be saying ‘We won the league, let’s go for City’s 100 points (a record set in 2017-18)’.”
Luis Suarez, who played three seasons for Liverpool before
to Barcelona in 2014, labelled Jordan Henderson as “one of the best captains in Liverpool’s history”.
The rivalry of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Klopp has embellished the latest Premier League managerial rivalry. Guardiola said: “The fact that they had gone 30 years without winning the Premier League gave them incredible focus.”