THREE Reds fans were stabbed and three more were injured as trouble flared ahead of Liverpool FC’s clash with Napoli.

A group of men aged 27, 44 and 53 were attacked at knifepoint in the old part of the city last night after supporters were met with a hostile reception whipped up by the Italian press.

The 27-year-old and 53-year-old were today in hospital but their condition was not thought to be life-threatening.

In a second incident, a woman and two men were targeted, but not seriously hurt.

The attacks came after an article printed in the newspaper Il Mattino Napoli branded Liverpool fans as hooligans.

A report yesterday had the headline: “Naples, the arrival of Liverpool and hooligans. Police: Stop sales of alcohol.”

The report read: “Naples will host Liverpool in tomorrow night’s Europa League, and the city expects around 1,000 hooligans from one of the most violent fringes of English football supporters.

“In a red letter day for security in the city, extraordinary security measures are to be put in place.