A man in his 50s was left lying next to one of Liverpool’s busiest roads after a dawn attack.

The victim was rushed to hospital after being slashed to his hand and face after emergency services were called to Edge Lane Drive around 6am .

Neighbours said they were woken by the sound of a “commotion” and saw the man on the ground outside their homes.

A passer-by is thought to have called 999, with police telling those who lived nearby to stay inside as they protected the scene.

Police and ambulance crews were called to the junction of Edge Lane Drive and Statton Road when the injured man was found at 6.05am.

Police at the scene on Edge Lane drive

His injuries are not thought to be serious enough to require surgery.

Neighbours said they saw the man lying on the ground and covered in blood when the emergency services arrived.

Police cordoned off a footpath that lies in front of homes on Edge Lane Drive and a grass verge that separates the properties from the Liverpool-bound traffic coming from the M62 and off the Rocket flyover.

That cordon was later relaxed so it protected just the grass verge.

Officers were set to carry out house-to-house, forensic, witness and CCTV enquiries this morning.

Appealing for details, Detective Inspector Paul Speight said: “At this early stage, we are looking to find out exactly where this incident happened and the circumstances. If you were passing this junction around 6am and saw anything or have dashcam footage, please come forward.

“We are determined to find those responsible and put them before the courts and I can assure you that we will act on all information provided.”

*Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC, call police on 101 quoting incident number 103, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.