A witness has described a violent street attack which left a man slumped on the floor "covered in blood".
There was a police presence on Kirkby Row in Kirkby following an incident late on Monday night.
A local man who asked not be named described a violent street attack in which a man was "headbutted and kicked in the face".
The witness said to the ECHO: "I think they knew each other and were on their way home from the pub. They were walking home but suddenly there was an argument. The man headbutted the other, and then started kicking him in the face. He was volleying him straight in the head.
"I wanted to go out and try and stop the attack but I was concerned for my own safety. It was a horrendous scene and there was blood everywhere. It all happened late last night sometime between 10pm and 11pm.
"The police arrived fairly quickly. I have gone into work today but feel horrendous about what happened last night. It was so violent.
"I just hope the victim is ok and wish I had been able to help him."
A police cordon and a forensics tent were in place on the street this afternoon.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "At around 11.25pm, emergency services were called to Kirkby Row, Westvale to reports of two men fighting.
"A man in his 50s was taken to hospital with head injuries which are being assessed.
"A 27-year-old man from Kirkby was detained close by. He has been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent, and was taken to a police station for questioning.
"Forensic, witness and CCTV enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Inspector Peter McCullough said: “Although a man has been arrested in connection with this violent incident, it is still vital that we speak to any witnesses or anyone who lives locally and may have captured some or all of the incident on CCTV, dashcam or other means.
“The victim’s condition is subject of assessment and we’re determined to establish exactly what happened and why.”
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police Contact Centre with reference 21000317988.
You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
