UK

Two arrested after Irish Liverpool football fan left fighting for his life

Police are investigating &quot;a serious assault&quot; <br />following reports a Liverpool fan was attacked ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Roma at Anfield.&nbsp;Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Police are investigating "a serious assault"
following reports a Liverpool fan was attacked ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Roma at Anfield. Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Police are investigating "a serious assault"
following reports a Liverpool fan was attacked ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Roma at Anfield. Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Two men from Rome have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 53-year-old man was left fighting for his life following an altercation ahead of the Champions League semi-final at Anfield.

The man, believed to be a Liverpool fan from Ireland, is being treated for his injuries at Walton Neurological Centre where his condition is described as critical, Merseyside Police said.

The 25-year-old and 26-year-old were arrested after police launched an operation to track down the man's assailants amid scenes of violent disorder ahead of Liverpool's clash with Roma.

The Liverpool fan's alleged assailants were among a total of 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.

Detectives are also investigating the use of flares outside the ground, the force said.