Merseyside Police were carrying out a search of Liverpool’s evacuated Anfield stadium on Tuesday evening after the club could not locate a man who was part of a touring group.

The man had been visiting Liverpool’s home ground, and the football club called police at 3.05pm to report they believed the man remained inside the stadium.

A statement from Merseyside Police read: “Merseyside Police can confirm that a search of Anfield football stadium is currently under way after the club raised an alert earlier this afternoon.

“At 3.05pm, the club reported to Merseyside Police that the ground had been evacuated after a man who had been on a tour was unaccounted for and believed to be in the stadium.

“The club cannot guarantee that the man has left the ground and therefore a search of the ground is under way.”

As the search was carried out, a spokesman for the Premier League club said: "There is an incident at Anfield stadium, and as a precautionary measure the facility has been evacuated.

“Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone at the ground. The emergency services are aware of the situation.”

Photos were posted on social media and in local news blogs which appeared to show both club staff and tourists standing outside the famous ground, with police officers manning its gates.

An eyewitness who did not want to be named say that alarms sounded at around 3.30pm.