UPDATE, 11.20am: Victim named and clarification that the incident did not take place inside Aloha, plus quotes from bar owner. Further developments at end of article.

POLICE are investigating a murder after an off-duty policeman died following an early hours attack close to one of the city's most popular nightspots.

Officers were called to Colquitt Street, outside the Aloha Bar, at around 3.15am today to reports of an assault. 

The dead man has been named as Neil Doyle, 36.

Police say three victims, Mr Doyle and two companions, were taken to hospital where the former, who was suffering from head injuries, died a short while later. The other two are being treated for facial injuries.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said the investigation is still in its very early stages and officers are trying to establish what happened.

The scene has been cordoned off whilst forensic examinations take place.

Aloha Bar owner Ryan McMahon told Confidential that a group of men were passing the bar at around 3am after turning into Colquitt Street from Seel Street.

"Just as they passed an altercation broke out between them. One of the men stumbled into the road and fell down on the other side,"  he said, describing how his attackers just walked calmly on down the road.

"Our doorman ran across the road and tried to help the man until the paramedics arrived. People were trying CPR.

"There were quite a few customers in the bar at the time. They had to leave via a fire exit as Colquitt Street quickly became a cordoned off crime scene."

He added: "We have been here all night as we couldn't lock up. To be honest we are all in a state of shock. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts go out to Neil Doyle's family at this awful time."

Detectives are appealing for anyone who has any information to contact them on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

*A 28-year-old man from Huyton was arrested on suspicion of  the murder of PC Doyle and two section 18 assaults, after he presented himself at a police station last night (Friday). He is being interviewed by detectives.