Liverpool fans stabbed

Italy - Three Liverpool fans were admitted to hospital after being attacked by club and knife-wielding youths in Naples, Italian press reported on Thursday.

The attacks happened in the early hours of Thursday morning ahead of the Europa League clash between Liverpool and Napoli scheduled for Thursday night (19:00 SA time).

In a separate attack a 28-year-old Italian was injured trying to protect some Liverpool fans, clients in his bar, from another attack.

Two Liverpool fans taken to hospital following one attack were named as 44-year-old Ian Friar, a prison guard, and 53-year-old Alexander Phillips.

Friar suffered a head injury but has already been discharged from the Loreto Mare hospital while Phillips was stabbed in the thigh and still needs treatment, according to reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport.

In a separate attack 27-year-old Luke Watson was taken to hospital with stab wounds to his head and thigh after being attack by a group of youths with knives, according to La Stampa.

A fourth victim on the night was Luigi Tranchese who suffered an injury to his eye after trying to calm a group of thugs that wanted to attack a group of Liverpool fans in his bar.

They then ran off as police were called.

Police have opened an inquiry into the incidents but tensions are said to be high in the city.

Three local youths, all with a criminal record, have been arrested.

A sell-out crowd of 60 000 people is expected for the game.