European football’s governing body, UEFA, have charged Liverpool after its fans launched a missile attack on the Manchester City’s team bus ahead of their Champions League quarter-final 1st leg clash at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Fans were seen throwing several objects including flares, cans and at least one bottle as the Manchester City bus made its way into Anfield.

Video fotage showed the bus engulfed in red smoke after the missiles were launched about an hour before kick-off.

The bus was badly damaged as a result of the attack thus prompting City to call for another for the journey home.

UEFA initiated disciplinary proceedings at its headquarters in Switzerland on Thursday afternoon and the Reds have been charged with acts of damage and crowd disturbances.

Liverpool were also charged after objects were thrown and fireworks were set off inside the ground during the game.

UEFA’s disciplinary body won’t hear the case until after the Champions League final (May 31) meaning that any sanctions would only apply next season.

A Liverpool statement released just after the match condemned the “damage inflicted” on the bus “in the strongest possible terms”.

“We apologise unreservedly to Pep Guardiola, his players, staff and officials caught up in the incident.” it added.

“The behaviour of a number of individuals was completely unacceptable and the club will co-operate fully with the authorities to identify those responsible.

“The priority now is to establish the facts and offer Manchester City whatever support is necessary.” the statement concluded.

Liverpool won the first leg 3-0 thanks to first half goals from Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane with the second leg scheduled for the Etihad Stadium next week Tuesday.