LIVERPOOL fans have been told to stay at home tomorrow night as the club lift the Premier League trophy after their game against Chelsea.

Confirmation of the title last month was tainted by thousands of supporters congregating around Anfield and the city's waterfront to celebrate, despite strict lockdown restrictions in place. Thirty-four people were injured, three seriously.

The club condemned the behaviour of some fans, calling it “unacceptable,” and urged anyone thinking of heading to Anfield tonight to stay at home.

Manager Jurgen Klopp understands the temptation for Reds’ fans to make the short trip to the stadium and promised fans there will be a title celebration when it is safe to do so.

He said: “I can understand it is tricky [to stay at home]. We don’t want to say it is completely wrong, but it is not right. We cannot excuse one wrong thing with another. This situation is different to any other we’ve faced.

“The first chance we get, will have this party — but only when it is appropriate. Three months ago no-one thought this possible, now we must do the right thing. I can only ask for exactly that. A challenge, but we’ve faced bigger ones at this club. Stay at home with family.”

Klopp’s promise of a “party” followed chief executive Peter Moore’s words a fortnight ago. “The manager has promised a parade, the chairman has promised a parade, so there’ll be a parade.

“The council has always been incredibly good collaborators with us and when it’s time to celebrate, and this situation is now different, [we will]; and we’re working with the council on appropriate ways in which Liverpool the city and Liverpool the football club can be seen in a great light.”

This week he said: “It’s critical that we all get behind the city’s public-health advice to keep Liverpool safe.

“The Premier League trophy presentation will be happening inside the stadium and, contrary to reports, nothing is happening outside of the stadium.

“When the time is right, we will all come together to celebrate.”

Supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly issued a statement on Monday on the trophy lift, congratulating the team but also pleading with fans to be sensible and “not put people at risk unnecessarily.”

“The restart of the season brought the challenge of fans not being allowed into grounds. We understand how hard it is to stay away from Anfield but also know it is one of the most deprived areas in Europe, with significant health inequalities. 

“To date the overwhelming majority have heeded public-health advice and we hope supporters will continue to stay at home or in the pub and not put people at risk unnecessarily.”

This was echoed by Matt Ashton, director of public health at Liverpool City Council, who warned that the “threat of a second lockdown is very real” and urged fans to celebrate responsibly.

The message was also made clear by local police. Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Natalie Perischine said: “On this occasion, the best seat in the house is in your living room.

“We are all still in unprecedented times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the last thing anyone wants is a resurgence of cases in Merseyside, with every life lost a tragedy.

“The last thing anyone wants is for all Merseyside’s patience and selflessness to unravel and for lockdown measures to be reintroduced, as we have seen in other areas.”