Man 'Feared for His Life' After Attack on Way Home from Liverpool FC Match

Liverpool Echo - Published recently

A Liverpool FC supporter was left fearing for his life after a brutal assault by a group of men as he made his way home from Anfield following a recent match. The incident, which occurred late in the evening on streets near the stadium, has sparked outrage among fans and calls for improved safety measures.

The Attack Unfolds

The victim, a 42-year-old father of two named Mark Thompson from the Walton area, described the terrifying ordeal to the Liverpool Echo. After Liverpool's hard-fought 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester United, Thompson was walking alone along Oakfield Road when he was approached by four men in their 20s. "They started shouting abuse about the match, then it turned nasty," he recounted. Without warning, the group set upon him, punching and kicking him repeatedly to the ground.

Thompson suffered a broken jaw, severe bruising, and a suspected concussion. He managed to fend them off momentarily with his phone, screaming for help, but feared the worst as the attackers continued their barrage. "I thought that was it—I was going to die right there on the pavement," he said from his hospital bed at Aintree University Hospital.

Police Response and Investigation

Merseyside Police were called to the scene around 11:30 PM and arrived swiftly, scaring off the assailants who fled towards Breck Road. CCTV footage from nearby shops is being reviewed, and detectives have released descriptions: all men were of slim build, wearing dark clothing and balaclavas. One had a distinctive tattoo on his neck.

DI Sarah Jenkins stated: "This was a cowardly, unprovoked attack on a football fan enjoying his evening. We urge witnesses to come forward." No arrests have been made yet, but a dedicated team is investigating links to previous match-day violence.

Community Reaction

The Liverpool FC community has rallied around Thompson, with the club issuing a statement condemning the violence and offering support. Fan groups like Spirit of Shankly called for more stewarding and better lighting on key routes home. "Match days should be about passion, not peril," said spokesperson Sue Walsh.

Thompson, an Anfield season-ticket holder for 20 years, remains optimistic: "I'll be back for the next game—Reds forever." His story serves as a stark reminder of the risks fans face post-match, prompting debates on urban safety around stadiums.

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