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Mayor Joe Anderson has reached out in solidarity to the city of Manchester after Liverpool fans attacked the Manchester City team coach ahead of last night’s Anfield clash.

UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Liverpool after the chaotic and ugly scenes - which included missiles being launched at the City coach.

Mayor Anderson took to Twitter last night to apologise to Manchester City and blast the fans who attacked the coach as ‘mindless thugs’.

He added: “They do not represent LFC or the City of Liverpool. Apologies to all at MCFC.”

Today he has once again reached out the hand of friendship to Mancunians.

He tweeted a picture by photographer John Johnson - which showed Man City paying tribute to those who died in the Hillsborough disaster alongside messages of support from Scousers to Mancunians after the Manchester Arena bomb attack last year.

He added: “Events last night don’t represent the True Spirit of Liverpool and Manchester #AlliesnotEnemies.

“Our cities have stood by each other through good times and bad. #Solidarity.”

As City’s coach arrived in Liverpool last night it was given a hostile greeting from thousands of fans who lined the streets along its route.

But smoke bombs and flares were let off and missiles, including bottles and cans, were thrown amid the chaotic scenes outside the ground before kick-off which saw two police officers also injured .

The driver’s door of Manchester City’s coach was smashed during the incident and it is understood a replacement coach had to be sent from Manchester.

A statement from UEFA released today read: “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC (3-0) played on 4 April in England.”

The charges against Liverpool FC :

- Setting off of fireworks - Article 16 (2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR)

- Throwing of objects - Art. 16 (2) DR

- Acts of damage - Art. 16 (2) DR

- Crowd disturbances - Art. 16 (2) DR

The statement from Europe’s governing football body said: “The charges of acts of damage and crowd disturbances relate to incidents involving the Manchester City FC team bus.

“This case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on May 31.”

A video of the incident was filmed from inside the Manchester City coach by Manuel Estiarte, one of manager Pep Guardiola’s technical staff at the Etihad, who uploaded the clip to his Instagram account.

The footage shows flares being set off among the gathered throng, with red smoke filling the air as songs were chanted and huge flags held aloft.

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Police probing the attack have also revealed details of the officers’ injuries as they made a plea for anyone with video footage to come forward.

No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but police today set up a dedicated email address for supporters to send them footage, particularly of anyone throwing objects.

Merseyside Police this afternoon confirmed that two of its officers sustained injuries - with one struck by an object and another suffering glass cuts.