Four men accused of conspiracies to commit murder and supply cocaine could stand trial later this year.
Vincent Coggins, Paul Woodford, Michael Earle and Edward Jarvis allegedly plotted to murder "unnamed individuals".
Coggins, 54, Woodford, 55, Earle, 44, and Jarvis, 55, are said to have conspired to kill these people between May 23 and June 16.
They are all charged with conspiracy to murder and also accused of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, during the same period.
The four men appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, via video link from HMP Manchester, where they are being held on remand.
Coggins, of The Spinney, Stockbridge Village, with short grey hair, glasses and wearing a light blue T-shirt, was asked to identify himself first by the court clerk.
He was joined by Woodford, of Marl Road, Bootle, with short brown hair and in a black zip-up top; Earle, of Wallace Drive, Huyton, with short grey hair and wearing a white T-shirt; and Jarvis, of Breckside Park, Anfield, bald and wearing a navy blue T-shirt.
The four men were supported by a number of women sitting in the public gallery during the short hearing this morning.
They were not arraigned and Alex Leach, prosecuting, said a "preparatory hearing" was first required.
High Court judge Mr Justice Dove said this would be held on October 26 and is estimated to last five days.
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He fixed a provisional trial for December 14 this year, which is currently estimated to last four weeks.
All four men were remanded in custody.
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