A man was slashed across the back was the victim of a targeted attack at a wedding reception.
The man in his 20s had to be rushed to hospital after the assault close to Our Lady of Walsingham Social Club in Netherton.
Four men had been seen fleeing the scene on Stand Park Avenue in Netherton in a black car shortly after the attack on Tuesday and police are still trying to hunt them down.
The victim was rushed to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
A member of the management team at the social club confirmed to the ECHO that the man had been a guest at a wedding reception that was being held there last night.
She said: "Yes it was [connected to the event] but right now police are doing a full investigation so we can't comment. It was a guest attending."
It is believed that the man was assaulted by another male, leaving him with a catalogue of injuries, before emergency services were called.
Shortly after the incident, which left the victim with a slash wound to the back, four men were seen leaving the scene in a black Nissan X-Trail.
Merseyside Police confirmed to the ECHO that the assault is being treated as a targeted attack and enquiries are ongoing to find anyone with information.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said last night: "We are appealing for witnesses after a man sustained slash wounds after an assault in Bootle.
"Officers were called to Stand Park Avenue, close to our Lady of Walsingham social club, shortly before 6pm.
"It was reported a man in his 20s had been assaulted by another man.
"He has been taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries, including a slash wound to the back, where his condition is described as stable.
"Four male offenders are believed to have left the scene in a black Nissan X-Trail, reported to have been driven in the direction of Park Lane West."
D etective Inspector Graeme Towndrow said: “This is a shocking incident, which has left a man with a significant slash wound, and we are determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
"If you have any information at all about this assault, or were passing nearby in a car just before 6pm and have dashcam footage, your account or evidence could be absolutely vital in our investigation, so come forward and we will do the rest.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC.
You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100258449 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.
