A police officer was taken to hospital with a serious facial injury and ten people were arrested after trouble flared at Anfield on Sunday, when Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 in a heated atmosphere.
Merseyside Police said one man was arrested on suspicion of two offences of assault against a police constable. The force said the perpetrator was detained on Anfield Road after the game, at around 18:30 BST, and that the injured officer was treated in hospital before returning home to recover.
Five supporters were arrested on suspicion of tragedy chanting. A further arrest was made on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and assault, two people were arrested for affray, and another on suspicion of throwing items on to the pitch.
Chief Inspector Leanne Hobin said the officers and stewards present were there to protect the public and keep them safe, describing it as extremely disappointing that an officer had sustained a serious injury while carrying out that duty. Addressing the tragedy chanting arrests, she said the tragic loss of life should never be a subject for tribal point-scoring, adding that fans who chant about tragedies cause huge distress to the loved ones of those who died and that such behaviour has absolutely no place in football. She said the force would continue working with clubs to identify perpetrators and bring them to justice, while thanking the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance for their co-operation despite the actions of a few.
The match was Manchester City’s first since the club was found guilty of 114 charges over the breaching of Premier League financial rules, and the visitors had to navigate a hostile reception. City’s coach took an alternative route to the ground and the team arrived through the staff and contractors’ entrance.
Inside the stadium, Liverpool supporters held up half-and-half scarves reading “Shamchester City – The Cheats”, while City’s line-up was drowned out by deafening jeers and banners were held aloft carrying messages such as “A Generation Of Supporters Cheated”.