LIVERPOOL’S game against Napoli tonight has been deemed a “high-risk” match and placed in the top policing category.

The second leg fixture between LFC and the Italians will be played at Anfield against a backdrop of high security.

It follows the stabbing of three Liverpool fans in Naples a fortnight ago, and other supporters left scarred by prowling football hooligans known as “Ultras”.

Merseyside Police have declared the game at Anfield a C-IR (Increased Risk) match.

Officers rank sporting events on a sliding scale with A denoting low-risk, B medium, C high and C-IR reserved for the most potentially volatile games. Last night, Merseyside Police stressed there was no intelligence of any planned violence and they fully expected the match to pass off peacefully.

Chief Superintendent Dave Lewis said: “At the present time, the Napoli match has been risk assessed as being a category C-IR game, which takes into account a whole host of factors surrounding this particular fixture.

"However, I would again like to reassure people that we will be policing this match just like any other major fixture and we will have the resources in place to deal with any issues that arise during the evening.

"Liverpool fans have behaved impeccably in the club's European matches both home and away, and I'm sure the genuine fans from both clubs will be looking forward to an enjoyable evening of football."