A 53-year-old man is in a critical condition after he was attacked outside Anfield before Liverpool's Champions League semi-final match with Roma.
Two men, who are aged 25 and 26, and come from Rome, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The victim, believed to be a Liverpool fan, suffered a head injury and is being treated in hospital, police said.
In a statement Liverpool said it was "shocked and appalled" and would be offering the victim "our full support".
The attack happened outside the Albert pub in Walton Breck Road at about 19:35 BST.
Det Insp Paul Speight of Merseyside Police said: "Witnesses report that the victim was hit with a belt and then fell to the ground.
"His condition is currently described as critical and his next of kin have been informed."
Two men, who are aged 25 and 26, and come from Rome, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The victim, believed to be a Liverpool fan, suffered a head injury and is being treated in hospital, police said.
In a statement Liverpool said it was "shocked and appalled" and would be offering the victim "our full support".
The attack happened outside the Albert pub in Walton Breck Road at about 19:35 BST.
Det Insp Paul Speight of Merseyside Police said: "Witnesses report that the victim was hit with a belt and then fell to the ground.
"His condition is currently described as critical and his next of kin have been informed."
