Liverpool ends 30-year drought, clinches league title

By Rob Harris The Associated Press

4 years ago

Liverpool supporters celebrate as they gather outside of Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, ... — Liverpool supporters celebrate as they gather outside of Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Thursday, June 25, 2020 after Liverpool clinched the English Premier League title. Liverpool took the title after Manchester City failed to beat Chelsea on Wednesday evening. (AP photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool supporters celebrate outside Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Thursday, June 25, 2020 after hearing Chelsea had scored in the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester City. Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions if Manchester City fail to beat Chelsea. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool supporters celebrates outside Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Thursday, June 25, 2020 after hearing Chelsea had scored in the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester City. Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions if Manchester City fail to beat Chelsea. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A Liverpool supporter celebrates outside Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Thursday, June 25, 2020 after hearing Chelsea had scored in the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester City. Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions if Manchester City fail to beat Chelsea. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

LIVERPOOL, England — The 30-year wait is over. Liverpool is champion of England again.

Liverpool clinched its first league title since 1990 on Thursday, ending an agonizing title drought without the players even having to take the field.

Instead, the Premier League crown was secured when Chelsea beat second-place Manchester City 2-1, a result that means City can no longer catch Liverpool with seven games remaining.

For the city of Liverpool, this has been a party three decades in the making, but the ongoing restrictions caused by the coronavirus meant fans were unable to celebrate in large crowds.

Only a few dozen fans were outside Anfield as the final whistle blew at Stamford Bridge, setting off fireworks and chanting.

After a dominant campaign that was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, Liverpool became England’s earliest-ever champion — and the latest. No team since the inception of the country’s league system in 1888 has clinched the title with seven games remaining. And no team has been crowned Premier League champion in June.