Flares were lit as thousands turned up at Pier Head waterfront despite restrictions on gatherings.

Firefighters also extinguished a small fire at the landmark Liver Building.

Mayor Joe Anderson said the events "brought Liverpool Football Club and the city of Liverpool into disrepute".

Fifteen people were arrested later in the evening for violent disorder and police officers were "subjected to a number of violent confrontations", Merseyside Police Chief Constable Andy Cooke said on Twitter.

(This Is Anfield)

"Last night, children and families were present alongside others and heavy-handed police intervention was therefore not appropriate at the time," he said

Assistant Chief Constable Jon Roy said missiles were thrown at police, including at two officers who were trying to help the victim of an assault and make an arrest.

"Both those officers came under attack from bottles being thrown at them and were injured as a result," he added.

(This Is Anfiled)

Mersey Fire said it quickly extinguished a small blaze on a first floor balcony of the Liver Building thought to have been started by a firework.

A joint statement from Liverpool FC, the city's council and Merseyside Police said: "Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.

"The potential danger of a second peak of Covid-19 still exists and we need to work together to make sure we don't undo everything that has been achieved as a region during lockdown.

"When it is safe to do so, we will all work together to arrange a victory parade when everyone can come together to celebrate."

(Lupni.com/BBC)