Three men reportedly attacked a man and left him fighting for his life in the early hours of the morning.
The 23-year-old victim was allegedly punched on Hanover Street, outside City Buffet restaurant, at around 3.40am on Sunday, July 4.
Emergency services were then called to the scene after the young man collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest following the assault.
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The group of three men reportedly fled the scene in a blue-and-pink coloured Hackney cab.
Merseyside police said that the victim remains in a critical condition in hospital.
A police spokesperson said: "We are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of today (Sunday 4 July).
"At around 3.40am, we received a report from North West Ambulance Service that a 23-year-old man had suffered a cardiac arrested after being assaulted by a group of three men during an altercation on Hanover Street.
"It was alleged he was punched by the offenders outside City Buffet restaurant before collapsing. The offenders are reported to have left the scene in a blue and pink coloured Hackney cab.
"The victim remains in a critical condition in hospital. Enquiries are being carried out to trace the offenders and CCTV footage from across the city centre is being looked at."
Detective Inspector Louise Hooley said: "A man is extremely poorly in hospital this morning following this shocking attack.
“We have launched a full investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible and appeal to anyone with information on who they are to come forward.
"While we have spoken to witnesses, we are keen to speak to anyone we haven’t yet spoken to who may have seen the incident or have any information."
She added: "We have increased patrols in the city centre, as our pubs, bars and restaurants re-opened, with officers in both uniform and plain clothes patrolling key areas at key times to keep people safe.
"Sadly, we have experienced a number of violent incidents in the city centre in recent weeks, but Merseyside Police remains committed to protecting people who want to enjoy their evening in Liverpool and will not stand by and allow a minority to ruin that."
Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to DM @MerPolCC or message Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook, quoting reference 21000465224.
You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or contact them via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
