A "huge explosion" that sent shockwaves through neighbours' home at 11pm has been explained by Merseyside Police.
Residents in the South Liverpool and Aigburth areas said they heard loud bangs in the late evening as well as the sound of sirens on Thursday night.
The force said the shocking noises are due to armed soldiers in training exercises to prepare for a response to a terror attack.
ACC Ian Critchley said there is no specific threat to Merseyside, but the training was "invaluable".
A spokesman for the police said officers from Merseyside Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West, along with a number of partner agencies including local councils, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service and Merseytravel were all involved in the training.
The training exercises are designed to test all those who could be involved in the event of a terror attack.
Bewildered neighbours said the late night noises made their back doors shudder and windows virbate.
Mo Alex Austin also said: "Jeez massif bang in Aigburth just now shook the whole house! Any ideas anyone?"
Charlotte Corbett added that the loud bang could also be heard near Festival Gardens.
She said: "I'm by festival gardens in #liverpool and just heard what sounded like an explosion and then a police car."
Explaining more about the training exercises, ACC Ian Critchley, said: “Our ultimate aim as emergency services is to protect and save lives and reduce harm and by continually reviewing how we work together we can ensure we provide an effective and efficient service to those in need.
“Even though there is no specific threat to Merseyside, training exercises like this are invaluable, as they allow our specialist teams to put their skills and knowledge to the test under highly realistic conditions in an environment where effective co-ordination with other emergency services and agencies is essential.
“It’s not often we get to test our whole plan together with the national resources who would be working with us if an incident like this occurred, and it is important for our officers and staff to know what they are likely to come up against and how all the agencies work together.
“Extensive planning has gone in to the exercise to ensure that we are still in a position to effectively respond to our daily business and keep the communities of Merseyside safe, whilst minimising disruption to local residents and businesses.
“Prior to the exercise taking place local residents were sent letters to let them know that the training would be taking place, just in case they were worried by the large numbers of emergency vehicles and activity in their area.”
