Four held over Liverpool street murder

Police investigating the murder of a man in a city street arrested four suspects during a Premiership football game, it was confirmed today.

Stuart Smith, 33, from London, died in the early hours of yesterday morning following an alleged assault in Liverpool city centre.

The four men, two aged 39, and a 33-year-old and a 27-year-old, who are also from the London area, were later arrested at Anfield during Liverpool's game against Arsenal.

Merseyside Police said detectives do not believe the incident, which may have been recorded on a mobile phone, is football or gang related or that Mr Smith was known to the suspects.

The men remain in custody for questioning.

Police were called to Back Colquitt Street at about 2.45am yesterday following reports that Mr Smith had been assaulted.

He was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital where he died a short time later.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Officers are keen to talk to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident.

"They are particularly keen to trace a man who may have captured part of the assault on his camera phone."

A post mortem examination is due to be carried out later by a Home Office pathologist to establish the cause of death.

Forensic examinations have taken place at the scene of the incident, in a busy part of the city centre and close to a number of popular bars and nightclubs.

PA