Tributes were today paid to a "nice woman, who was no harm to anyone" after she was found dead in her flat.
The 58-year-old was today named locally as Tracey McGrath who had lived at the Belmont Road, in Anfield, for a number of years.
Shocked locals said Ms McGrath was a recognisable face who would often be seen standing on her front step smoking a cigarette and chatting briefly to passers-by.
One woman told the ECHO: "Tracey kept herself to herself, she would always say hello to me when I was going past.
"She was really friendly, so easy to speak to.
"It's awful this has happened."
On Wednesday evening, a near neighbour heard a comment made by a man that the 58-year-old "didn't have long left," immediately triggering her concern.
She persuaded her sister to venture inside the flat to check on their friend, who was tragically found dead.
Ms McGrath was discovered in an upper floor flat at about 8.30pm, sparking an urgent response.
Her body was found on a sofa in the living room and it is believed she had died a number of days prior to police being called.
However the circumstances, including the cause of her death, will be determined following a Home Office post mortem examination.
It is claimed by neighbours that Ms McGrath had suffered a leg injury. It is not known whether the injury was linked to her death.
It is also believed Ms McGrath lived with a younger member of the family.
Police have confirmed they have launched a murder investigation and have made five arrests, four of them on suspicion of murder.
A 33-year-old man from Anfield, a 22-year-old man from Anfield, a 30-year-old man from Liverpool, and a 29-year-old woman from Fairfield are all being held by police.
A 44-year-old man from Anfield was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
All five will be questioned by officers.
Residents said some of the flats on that particular stretch of Belmont Road had been plagued for some time by drug-taking, predominantly crack, and anti-social behaviour.
Forensic officers dressed in white suits were seen entering the property to comb the scene and gather clues and evidence about the tragedy.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Speight, of Merseyside Police, said: “We are in the very early stages of an investigation, and would appeal to anyone who has any information at all to come forward in confidence.
“House-to-house, forensic and CCTV enquiries are ongoing and I would appeal to anyone with any information to please come forward. If you have seen or heard any suspicious behaviour in the Belmont Road area recently, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information can contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook quoting reference 21000305792 or through 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
