Police officer is seriously injured and 10 are arrested as Liverpool v Manchester City match erupts in chaos

From the Newshound archive · first published 12 October 2026.

A Merseyside Police officer sustained serious facial injuries while making an arrest on Anfield Road at around 6.35pm on Sunday, shortly after fans had streamed out of the ground following Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Taken to hospital for treatment, the officer has since been discharged and is recuperating at home. Ten people were arrested in total, and investigators are working through CCTV and camera phone footage as enquiries continue.

Five of the 10 arrests were for tragedy chanting under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, with one man held on suspicion of assaulting a constable twice.

The remaining arrests covered affray, drunk and disorderly assault, and throwing items onto the pitch during City's first match since being found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules.

Chief Inspector Leanne Hobin said tragedy chanting 'causes huge distress to the loved ones of people who died and has absolutely no place in football.'