A man has died after being stabbed in the chest in a Liverpool city centre bar.
Police were called to a reports of a fight breaking out near the Wild Cat and Ink bars on Back Colquitt Street at around 3am on Sunday morning.
Officers found two men at the scene who had suffered knife wounds and chased a third man who was arrested a short distance away from the scene.
Two men were taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries but a 33-year-old from the city centre area died a short while later from a stab wound to his chest.
A 24-year-old man who had a knife wound to his arm was also taken to hospital for treatment and was subsequently arrested.
Merseyside Police arrested the Toxteth resident as well as a 19-year-old man also from the local area both on suspicion of murder.
Detective Inspector Allison Woods, said: “The investigation is in its early stages and the motive for the attack is unknown.
“However, we understand the men were known to each other and the attack was targeted.
“At this time it is believed that the 33-year-old victim, who lived in the city centre, was involved in an altercation with two men.
“Two men, aged 19 and 24 years, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and will be interviewed by detectives.
“The family of the deceased have been informed and a family liaison officer will be supporting them at this tragic time.”
DI Woods added: “The city centre was really busy in the early hours of this morning and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has any information which could help us with our inquiries to contact us.”
The scene has been cordoned off whilst Crime Scene Investigators carry out forensic examinations and officers are conducting inquiries and will be looking at CCTV to establish the circumstances around the incident.
A Home Office Post Mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 0151 777 4065, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.