Liverpool FC has issued an official apology to their Champions League quarter-final opponents after the Manchester City team bus came under attack ahead of kick-off tonight.
Two police officers were hurt in the scuffles but there were no injured parties on the City coach which was left in such a state that it will not make the return journey.
Videos on social media show cans, bottles and flares being thrown at the City coach as it drives through the gates at Anfield.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">City bus arrives at Anfield. A few cans, flares and bottles thrown at it. The smashed bottle (which you can see towards the end of the vid) nearly landed on my head, which would’ve served me right tbf <a href="https://t.co/NgMep0LAhP">pic.twitter.com/NgMep0LAhP</a></p>— Sam Lee (@Sammy_Goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sammy_Goal/status/981585988878327808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The club was quick off the mark in releasing a statement expressing their displeasure with the pre-match events.
"The club condemns in the strongest possible terms the scenes which preceded our Champions League quarter-final, which resulted in damage being inflicted on the Manchester City team bus during their arrival at Anfield.
"We apologise unreservedly to Pep Guardiola, his players, staff and officials caught up in the incident.
"The behaviour of a number of individuals was completely unacceptable and the club will cooperate fully with the authorities to identify those responsible.
The priority now is to establish the facts and offer Manchester City whatever support is necessary."
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp also addressed the incident in his pre-match interview on BT Sport.
"For Liverpool FC I have to say sorry about that. It's exactly the opposite of what we wanted. But I don't know more, I didn't see any pictures or whatever but apologies to Manchester City and the players and the staff."
Merseyside Police have said they will investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
