People were startled awake by the sound of shouting and 'loud bangs' as a gunman opened fire in the street.
Stanley Road in Kirkdale is cordoned off by officers today after a shooting in the early hours of this morning.
Merseyside Police confirmed that one man in his 30s and another in his 20s went to Royal Liverpool University Hospital at around 12.50am on Wednesday with gunshot wounds.
READ MORE: 'Devoted' couple who died in crash named as families pay tribute
The shooting is believed to have taken place in the Stanley Road area of Kirkdale, where a police cordon remains in place and extends to the nearby Pansy Street.
Both men suffered shot wounds to their hands and legs but police believe their injuries are non life-threatening.
One man, who has lived in the area for 45 years, told the ECHO he came across the police scene on his way to buy a paper from the local shop this morning.
The Go Local shop where he usually goes on the corner of Stanley Road was taped off by officers and remains closed this afternoon.
The man said he then made his way down Pansy Street where he saw blood splattered across the pavement.
A number of other businesses inside the police cordon including a hairdressers, a barber, Top Notch Burgers and Pound Plus Superstore remain closed while police carry out their investigations.
Detectives were seen searching a plot of grass off Commercial Road earlier this morning, while forensics searched for evidence on Stanley Road.
Another resident who moved to the area six months ago said he has seen a lot of gang related activity in recent months.
He was woken up by his wife just after midnight after she heard shouting coming from outside.
The shooting came on the edge of Kirkdale's 'Flowers Streets' - the network of residential streets that run off Stanley Road and boast pretty names from Crocus Street to Snowdrop Street.
Those streets, and the community around them, have recently been identified by the authorities as a key spot for policing and council work to stop crime and anti-social behaviour.
A police scene was also set up outside the main entrance of the Royal Liverpool Hospital after two men attended following the shooting.
A spokesperson for Merseyside police told the ECHO : "Detectives are investigating following an injury shooting in Kirkdale in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 8 September.
"At around 12.50am, two men, one in his 30s and one in his 20s, attended at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital with non life-threatening gunshot injuries to their hands and legs.
"Enquiries have confirmed that the incident is believed to have happened in the Stanley Road area."
Detective Inspector John Fitzgerald from Merseyside Police firearms investigation team said officers area appealing for information.
He said: "We’re working to piece together exactly what happened and so are keen to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Stanley Road and Pansy Street around midnight and saw or heard anything, either the shooting itself or any people making away from the area, and vehicle details.
"Recent days have seen a number of firearms removed from the streets, and recent months a downturn in these types of incidents.
"To have such success it is absolutely vital that we get all information from those communities who feel the impact of gun crime, so we can bring those responsible to justice.
"Speak to us directly or anonymously and we will take swift action."
Anyone with information on this incident is being urged to contact police via @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook with reference 21000624137.
You can also pass information via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form here.
