Thugs knocked on a front door late at night and barged their way into a house before murdering a 36-year-old man in front of his dad.
Two men approached the terraced address on Clorain Road in Kirkby at about 10.30pm on Sunday and forced their way inside when the homeowner opened the door.
The attackers burst in and cornered Thomas Edmunds, who is said to have been upstairs in the house when he was viciously assaulted.
Part of the horrifying incident was witnessed by the victim's dad, who lives at the property with his son.
Mr Edmunds, known to many as "Tommy", suffered a serious head injury and was taken to hospital where he died the following morning.
It has been confirmed in the last few hours that the 36-year-old died from asphyxiation, which can involve strangulation, choking or smothering.
Two men, aged 32 and 34, were arrested on suspicion of murder, and are being questioned in custody by detectives.
A third arrest was recently made by police, of a 38-year-old man from Old Swan, also on suspicion of murder.
The attackers and Mr Edmunds were known to each other, police said, and they described the killing as a targeted attack.
Residents said they heard the sound of banging at the time the thugs entered the home, which lasted only for a short period.
There were no shouts or cries, it was added.
People who came out of their houses when the emergency services descended on Clorain Road said Mr Edmunds was taken by stretcher to an ambulance.
The 36-year-old had lived at the address for the past year and a half, residents said, and had joined his dad in the property where other family members had previously lived.
It has been suggested that the murder of Mr Edmunds has links to Croxteth.
The murder happened very close to Simonswood Lane, where a man was slashed to his face at about 1.25pm on Sunday.
The 32-year-old, assaulted by two men, was taken to hospital with a "laceration" to his face which is not believed to be life threatening.
Police have told the ECHO they don't believe the two incidents are linked.
This morning, a large section of Clorain Road remained sealed off as white-suited forensic officers were seen entering and exiting the address.
Photographs were taken by investigators as the scene inside the property was combed for clues that could help build evidence against the suspects.
A mobile police station is now parked on Clorain Road to reassure the local community, particularly given the two very serious attacks within just nine hours on the same estate.
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anything of importance or who could have valuable information.
Detective Inspector Jackie Guinness, of Merseyside Police, said on Monday: “A man has tragically died following a suspected assault in Kirkby last night and we are working to establish the full circumstances.
“Two men remain in custody in connection with the incident, and I would ask anyone who saw or heard any suspicious behaviour in Clorain Road or the surrounding area last night, or has any CCTV or dash cam footage, to please get in touch. Officers will remain in the area today to carry out CCTV, witness and forensic enquiries.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC or 101 quoting ref. 21000297827. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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