Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said he has raised concerns with Merseyside Police about the management of a mass gathering at the Pier Head last night.
Troubling scenes saw thousands break social distancing rules to celebrate the Reds' Premier League win on the Waterfront, with videos showing fireworks being shot at the Liver Building, with a fire breaking out at one point.
Mayor Anderson was tweeting throughout the night, urging people to head home for their own safety.
He told the ECHO today he was 'in tears' and 'exhausted' after witnessing the scenes.
He said he has now raised concerns with Merseyside Police about why more wasn't done to stop the volume of people heading to the Pier Head in the first place.
Merseyside Police did issue a dispersal order for the Pier Head area, but this wasn't put in place until after midnight.
Mayor Anderson said: "I'm not sure why you would wait until then to do that.
"We had been warning from early in the afternoon of what was happening, with so many people heading to the Pier Head, so we are asking if more could have been done at an earlier stage."
The ECHO has put the Mayor's specific questions and concerns to Merseyside Police today.
The force has so far only released a joint statement with Liverpool FC and the council, although we understand the force will be saying more about last night's events.
The current statement reads:
"Throughout the last week, Liverpool Football Club, Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council and Spirit of Shankly have worked together to consistently remind people that the region is still disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and ask people to celebrate LFC’s Premier League title win safely.
"Several thousand people turned up at the Pier Head on Friday June 26 and some chose to ignore the social distancing guidance and risk public safety.
"Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.
"The potential danger of a second peak of COVID-19 still exists and we need to work together to make sure we don’t undo everything that has been achieved as a region during lockdown.
"When it is safe to do so, we will all work together to arrange a victory parade when everyone can come together to celebrate. Until that time, the safety of our city and our people continues to be our number one priority."
The ECHO will provide updates on anything further released by the police.
