An attacker reportedly carrying a sword has stabbed a man in a shopping centre car park, police said.
Officers were called just after 5.35pm on Monday to reports that a man had been stabbed in the chest following an altercation at Hunts Cross Shopping Park's car park in Liverpool.
The victim, a 36-year-old man, was taken to hospital where his condition was described as serious.
Merseyside Police said the attacker was reported to have been carrying a sword and was thought to have escaped the scene on foot and in a vehicle.
A short time later a 38-year-old man from Wavertree, Liverpool, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a 26-year-old woman, also from Wavertree, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. A sword was also seized.
Part of the shopping park was cordoned off while crime scene investigators carried out forensic examinations at the scene and on Monday night, house-to-house inquiries were being carried out and detectives were also examining CCTV coverage.
Detective Inspector Steve Christian from Liverpool CID, said: "The investigation is very much in its early stages and we are still trying to piece together exactly what has happened.
"The victim has been taken to hospital where he is being treated for his injury following what was a nasty attack.
"The shopping park around Asda and United Carpets would have been busy at this time of day as people shopped after work and I would urge anyone who has any information which could help us find those responsible to come forward as soon as possible.
"We will not let incidents like this cause fear in our communities."
Anyone with information can contact Liverpool CID on 0151 777 4065, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.