A teenage boy was knifed several times by a gang who fled the scene on bikes after the vicious attack last night.
Police could be seen scouring grass land for clues this morning after the stabbing in West Derby .
Merseyside Police confirmed the 16-year-old victim was assaulted by a group of around four males on a grassy area on Three Butt Lane - which straddles residential properties - at around 10pm on Tuesday.
A spokesman said: "It was reported the 16-year-old male had been struck to the head and stabbed to the arm and legs. He sustained a laceration to the head and small puncture wounds to his arm and legs."
The victim later turned up at hospital and is in a stable condition, say police.
The thugs behind the attack fled the scene on bikes and police have launched a witness appeal as they hunt the culprits.
House-to-house inquiries are being carried out in the area and forensic examinations are being carried out by crime scene investigators.
Detective Inspector Paul Nilsen said: “Our investigation into this incident is in its very early stages and we are working to establish the full circumstances, a possible motive and, crucially, who is responsible.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Three Butt Lane and Culme Road at about 10pm on Tuesday who may have seen or heard anything suspicious. In particular, did you see a group of males on bicycles who may have been leaving the scene in a hurry?"
He added: "If you have dashcam and were driving in the area at the time, please consider whether you may have captured anything significant and let us know.
“Your information or evidence could prove vital as we try to locate the offender so that we can bring them to justice.”
Det Insp Nilsen stressed: “We have devoted significant resources and targeted operations across Merseyside aimed at ridding our streets of knife crime
“We will never stand by and allow people to carry knives and bring the risk of serious harm not just to other people, but also to themselves. Statistically you are more likely to fall victim to knife crime if you carry a knife, and you risk spending a long time in prison when you are caught.
“We regularly have officers patrolling key areas and conducting stop checks, warrants and land searches so it is simply not worth the risk.
“If you have any information on the possession, or storage of knives or any weapons, please come forward directly or anonymously and we will remove those weapons and people who choose to use them from the streets.”
Anyone with information or dashcam or CCTV footage is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC.
You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100614713, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
