Merseyside Police have confirmed they have arrested two men on suspicion of attempted murder after a 53-year-old Irish man was left in a critical condition prior to the Champions League semi-final between Liverpool and AS Roma.
The man, thought to be a Liverpool supporter, was assaulted outside the stadium before the game kicked off on Tuesday evening. He has since been taken to Walton Neurological Centre for treatment. Two men from Rome, aged 25 and 26, were arrested and taken to a police station for questioning.
In a statement on the Merseyside Police website, they said:
“Merseyside Police can confirm that two men, aged 25 and 26 years from Rome, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 53-year-old man was seriously injured before the Champions League semi-final game this evening.
“[They] were arrested inside the ground after officers carried out a number of proactive inquiries in a bid to identify those involved in the incident.
“Officers were called to the Albert public house at about 7.35pm following reports that a man, believed to be 53 years from Ireland, had been seriously assaulted.
“Paramedics attended at the scene and the victim, who suffered a head injury, was taken to Walton Neurological Centre where his condition is described as critical.”
Liverpool FC also issued a statement saying:
“Our thoughts, in the first instance, are with the victim and his family at this very traumatic time. We will be offering them our full support.”
‘The vast majority of the 52,500 fans attending the game were well behaved and went to watch a good game of football,’ said Chief Superintendent Dave Charnock. ‘However, a minority of fans from both Liverpool and Roma were involved in isolated pockets of disorder in the city centre and near to the ground.
‘During one incident a 53-year-old man, believed to be a Liverpool fan, was assaulted near to the ground during what is believed to have been an altercation between Roma and Liverpool fans. He is currently being treated for his injuries at Walton Neurological Centre, where his condition is described as critical.’
A statement from Merseyside Police also explained that nine men aged between the ages of 20 and 43 were arrested for various offences ahead of the game, including possession of offensive weapons.
Before kick off, footage was shared on social media showing altercations between Liverpool fans and a group of men believed to be Roma supporters.
Liverpool defeated Roma 5-2 in their first leg encounter.
