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Ten people - including eight men from Germany - have now been arrested after violent clashes in Liverpool city centre.

Merseyside Police today confirmed the suspects, among which were two men from Liverpool, were taken into custody on suspicion of public order offences.

The arrests of the German nationals comes amid speculation the chaos included a group of football fans that had travelled to the city ahead of Everton’s Europa League match tonight.

Violence flared when fighting broke out in the Concert Square and Wood Street areas at around 11.20pm.

Dramatic footage captured a mass brawl, with stools and punches being thrown during heated clashes - described as “traumatising” by witnesses.

The carnage sparked a major police response, with around 20 force vehicles present as Hanover Street became one of several areas blocked off by the emergency services last night.

In the early hours of this morning police confirmed four people had been arrested and one man was in hospital after a “large scale disturbance”.

It has now been confirmed that the number of those arrested has risen to 10, with the suspects set to be quizzed at two police stations today.

Everton play Italian side Atalanta at Goodison Park tonight and sources have claimed the trouble involved football fans who were in the city in relation to the game.

While most of those arrested - aged 25, 27, 27, 28, 31, 31, 34, 50 - are not from Italy, there is a history of trouble involving a small group of fans of German side Eintracht Frankfurt at games where the Italian club is playing.

In January 2014 the Guardian published an alternative club guide to Serie A.

And in the first of the series they focused on Atalanta and their hard core Ultra following.

Author, the Gentleman Ultra, wrote: "Atalanta's Ultras have long been associated with left-wing politics and images of socialist icon Che Guevara could often be seen in the Curva Nord (or Curva Pisani ).

"Over the years these Ultras earned themselves a fierce reputation and were renowned for using only "fists" and "boots".

"In recent years the Atalantini have been involved in significant riots and protests. Atalanta's Ultras have few friends and many enemies, a fact they thrive on. Ci stanno sul cazzo tutti " ("we hate everybody").

"The few "friends" they have include Ternana and Eintracht Frankfurt, based on old political affinities. "

A police spokesman today said: “Merseyside Police can confirm a total of 10 men have been arrested following reports of a disturbance involving members of the public and door staff in Liverpool city centre last night.

“A 23-year-old man from Walton and a 28-year-old man from Toxteth and eight German nationals, aged 25, 27, 27, 28, 31, 31, 34, 50, were arrested on suspicion of public order offences. They have been taken to police stations in Merseyside to be interviewed.

“The man who was injured remains in hospital where he is receiving treatment for a head injury. His condition is described as stable.”

The update came as the force’s response to the trouble continued, with parts of the Ropewalks cordoned off, searches ongoing and a significant police presence remaining around the scene of the fighting today.

One woman who was caught up in it said she feared she would be crushed by those involved.

She said: “It was genuinely terrifying. Me and my friend got trapped in the middle of it while trying to get out of Concert Square.

“I actually lost her at one point and couldn’t find her in the crowd. People were throwing chairs and glasses and people were falling down the steps.

“It’s so lucky we weren’t crushed. I was in tears the whole way home.”

A taxi driver at the scene added that two men from the crowd landed on the bonnet of his cab.

He said: “About 30 of them were spilling down Wood Street and, as I went to pull off to get away from it, they hit my bonnet. I blared my horn and they got off and I just drove away.”