Shocking moment Liverpool fans are attacked with belts outside Anfield before Roma match

Fan clashes: Violent scenes before Liverpool v AS Roma
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Shocking video footage and images have emerged of Liverpool fans being attacked with belts outside Anfield on a night marred by violent scenes.

It comes as two men from Rome were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 53-year-old Liverpool fan was attacked and left in a critical condition ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Roma.

Ten minutes before kick-off up to 20 Roma fans reportedly burst onto Walton Breck Road near the ground before whipping fans with belts outside The Albert pub.

Witnesses said that one of the fans was armed with a hammer.

Video footage posted on social media, in which a group of hooded men attack one man while another lies on the ground nearby, appears to show part of the incident.

Sunday Times football journalist Jonathan Northcroft took to Twitter after scenes turned violent on Tuesday night.

Fans on top of a police van before the match
PA

He wrote: “Roma fans have just attacked Liverpool supporters with belts, outside the Albert. About 20. One guy down getting treatment.”

He added: “The Roma group came out of Venmore St, and attack was sudden. Picked an older Liverpool fan and attacked him.

"A lot of police around but they were slow on the scene. Poor guy is still down. Horrible stuff.”

BBC Sport reporter David Ornstein also appeared to witness the scenes.

He said on Twitter: “Pre-match trouble outside Anfield started when group of Roma fans arrived via Venmore St, burst on to Walton Breck Rd & attacked, many using belts. #LFC fan knocked to floor & received lengthy medical treatment. Skirmishes, projectiles, at least 1 hammer in hand, police arrived.”

The man left fighting for his life is being treated for his injuries at Walton Neurological Centre, Merseyside Police said.

Liverpool Football Club said it was "shocked and appalled" by the incident and urged fans and those who attended the game to help Merseyside Police with their appeal for information.

Mounted police escort a coach carrying the Liverpool team before kickoff
AFP/Getty Images

Detective Inspector Paul Speight, said: "We believe the victim was in Liverpool with his brother for the Liverpool v Roma semi-final and was assaulted during an altercation between Roma and Liverpool fans near to the Albert pub at about 7.35pm.

"Witnesses report that the victim was hit with a belt and then fell to the ground.

"Paramedics treated him at the scene and he was taken by ambulance to Walton Neurological Centre, where he is being treated for a head injury. His condition is currently described as critical and his next of kin have been informed."

Supporters outside Anfield ahead of the tie with Roma
Getty Images

The Liverpool fan's alleged assailants, aged 25 and 26, were among nine men aged between 20 and 43 who were arrested for various offences before and after the match.

The offences included affray, assault, possession of offensive weapons, possession of a controlled drug, criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly.

Anyone with information or mobile phone footage of the disorder was urged to contact police.

Merseyside Police Chief Superintendent Dave Charnock said: "We will be reviewing CCTV footage, our own body worn camera footage and working with the club to identify those involved in any of these incidents so we can put them before the courts.

"And I would appeal to anyone who has any information, or mobile phone footage, in relation to any of these incidents to contact us."

In a statement, Liverpool FC said: "(We are) shocked and appalled after a Liverpool supporter was left in a critical condition having been attacked prior to the Champions League fixture against AS Roma.

"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."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in