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Four Arsenal fans were arrested inside Liverpool’s Anfield stadium during the clubs’ Premier League clash – hours after a man was battered to death.

Stuart Smith, 33, was found with serious head injuries on Back Colquitt Street in the city centre at 3am yesterday.

He was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where he later died.

During the second half of the match four men – two 39-year-olds, one aged 37 and another 27 – were arrested in the “away” section of the ground on ­suspicion of Mr Smith’s murder.

Tonight all four were in custody.

(Image: Andrew Powell)

Police believe a passer-by may have recorded the attack on their camera and appealed for them to come forward.

As rumours spread that the footage may have been posted on YouTube, they stressed that it could contain vital evidence.

Officers were keen to stress the killing was not gang-related or connected to any possible football rivalries.

A post mortem is due to be carried out tonight on Mr Smith, who also lived in London.

A spokesman for The Chameleon Bar, which is on the street where Mr Smith died, said neither the victim or any of those arrested had been in the bar.

He added: “We are appalled and upset about this isolated incident which has happened in what is a very friendly neighbourhood of bars, restaurants, offices and residences.

“We all send our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.”

Merseyside Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.