A thug repeatedly punched and kicked a man he tricked into thinking he was getting a taxi with during a sickening street robbery.
The robber met his 32-year-old victim in a Leece Street bar and after striking up a conversation both men left to get a taxi home.
But today police issued CCTV stills of a man they want to trace as he could have information after the victim was suddenly pushed to the floor before his attacker began raining blows down on him when they got to nearby Roscoe Street.
Pinning his victim to the ground the robber emptied the man's pockets and made off with his cash, bank cards and a mobile phone during the violent scenes.
A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: "As both males got to the street the male, without warning or provocation, pushed the victim to the floor.
"He then began to punch him repeatedly to his body and head before pinning him to the floor and taking cash, bank cards and a mobile phone from his pocket."
As the man tried to stand up the robber kicked him to the knee, knocking him once again to the floor before making off along Berry Street.
The police spokeswoman added: "We have issued CCTV images of a man we would like to speak to as we believe he has information which could assist our investigation."
The men had began talking shortly before midnight on Sunday, September 1.
The victim suffered two black eyes, swelling and bruising to his face and a torn ligament in his left knee.
Detective Inspector Phil Atkinson said: “This was a nasty, unprovoked assault which left the victim with injuries which required ongoing treatment. He was also left very shaken by his ordeal."
Police are now appealing to anyone who remembers being in and around Leece Street and Hardman Street that night or has any information to come forward.
Anybody who recognises the man in the CCTV images is also urged to get in touch with police.
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 19100494320.
