Liverpool Football Club have spoken out following an awful incident in the heart of the city on the day of their victory parade. The Reds were basking in the glory of winning the Premier League trophy on Bank Holiday Monday following their final match of the season 24 hours prior.
As the festivities surrounding the parade were winding down, chaos erupted on Water Street when a car hit pedestrians. And it led to the arrest of a "53-year-old white British man," as confirmed by Merseyside Police.
Liverpool issued a statement confirming it was communicating with Merseyside Police. Their message also expressed solidarity and concern for those involved in the alarming events.
The statement read: "We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident. We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident."
It was confirmed that 27 were hospitalised with injuries from the incident, with four of those being children, as per the Liverpool Echo.
Local rivals Everton and Tranmere Rovers also conveyed their unity in support in the wake of Monday's chaos. And both teams echoed Liverpool's empathy via their social media platforms.
Ambulances and police vans arrive on the scene of an incident in Water Street, on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win
The incident reportedly saw 27 people hospitalised, four of whom are understood to be children (Image: AFP)
Everton's message of compassion was shared on X, which read: "Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city."
Tranmere also extended their heartfelt sentiments after posting: "All of our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the incident in Liverpool city centre this evening."
Meanwhile, Merseyside Police provided an update later on Monday. They urged calm from the public, as well as appealing for any useful information they might have.
"We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight's incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre," it read. "We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.
Members of the emergency services treat members of the public inside a Police cordon at the scene of an incident, on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win
Liverpool was plunged into a state of panic (Image: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
"We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us @MerPolCC or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784. Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
Liverpool secured the Premier League title last month but didn't have its trophy-lifting moment until after Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace. This season's triumph arguably felt even more significant than their 2020 title win, when Liverpool couldn't revel with their fans as they would have liked due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Captain Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot held the trophy aloft in front of a full Anfield crowd. However, the sheer joy of that moment was quickly overshadowed by the awful events that unfolded in the city centre 24 hours later.