Tottenham, Liverpool and Premier League giants welcome back fans at last - in pictures

Jurgen Klopp delighted at the return of packed stadiums

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  Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City: Spurs fans show their support at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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  Tottenham Hotspur fans prior to the game.

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  Newcastle United v West Ham United: Fans back at St James' Park,.

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  Fans of West Ham United celebrate.

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  Norwich v Liverpool: Fans show their support prior to the Premier League match at Carrow Road.

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  Brighton and Hove Albion fans show their support.

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  Liverpool supporters and fans cheer during their win at Norwich.

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  Manchester United v Leeds United: Supporters cheer ahead of the Premier League at Old Trafford.

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  Fans show their support during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United.

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  Fans enjoy Manchester United v Leeds United.

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  Burnley v Brighton: Burnley fans in the stands show their support at Turf Moor.

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  Chelsea v Crystal Palace:: Fans chant at Stamford Bridge.

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  Fans show their support at Chelsea.

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  Supporters arrive outside Chelsea's Stamford Bridge.

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  Everton v Southampton: Supporters prepare for the match at Goodison Park.

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  Southampton fans show their support.

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  Leicester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Wolves fans at The King Power Stadium.

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  Watford v Aston Villa: Watford fans show their support prior to the Premier League match at Vicarage Road.

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  Aston Villa fans show their support.

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  Brentford v Arsenal: Fans in the stands show their support during the Premier League match at the Brentford Community Stadium.

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  Brentford fans in the stands.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declared that "football is back" after a packed Carrow Road saw his side open their Premier League campaign with a victory over Norwich City.

Capacity crowds were finally allowed to return after 19 months of empty seats and eerily quiet stadiums because of the Covid epidemic.

Klopp's side perhaps suffered more than most during restrictions which meant their 2019-20 title season, their first since 1990, was concluded in empty stadiums.

But after 27,023 watched Liverpool dismantle Norwich 3-0, Klopp said: "It's great to see the fans back. The occasion was great. It was exactly what we expected and what we'd missed for so long.

"I applauded the Norwich fans as well because it's so nice to have fans back, wherever they come from. I could see in the eyes of the players they had to get used to it again. Everybody has to get used to the atmosphere.

"It's cool. Football is back."

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was just as thrilled after 72,302 saw them demolish Leeds at Old Trafford.

"You get the butterflies again," said the Norwegian. "Suddenly it's a game that matters.

"We felt extra responsibility because it's been so long without them. They mean so much to us. To have that love from the fans is so important."

Xisco Munoz, whose Watford side Adton Villa 3-2 at Vicarage Road, said: "Today was an amazing day, perfect because we met with our fans."

Images of the fans returning at all Premier League matches can be seen in the picture gallery above.

How many fans watched the start of the 2021-22 Premier League season?

1. Manchester United v Leeds United was the biggest crowd of the opening weekend, 72,732 supporters watching the 5-1 victory for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.

2. Tottenham 1-0 Manchester City Att: 58,262

3. Newcastle 2 West Ham 4 Att: 50,673

4. Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace Att: 38,965

5. Leicester 1-0 Wolves: Att: 31,983

6. Norwich 0-3 Liverpool Att: 27,023

7. Watford 3-2 Aston Villa Att: 20.051

8. Burnley 1-2 Brighton Att: 16,910

9. Brentford 2-0 Arsenal Att: 16,479

*Everton 3-1 Southampton 39,572 capacity, attendance not released