A seven-year-old Saints fan has reportedly been hit in the face by a laughing gas canister during Saturday's Liverpool match.

Hampshire Police confirmed that officers at the ground received reports of an object, believed to have been thrown from the away end, which injured a young home fan.

A Southampton FC spokesperson said: "The club is working closely with Hampshire Constabulary to investigate CCTV footage regarding an item thrown towards home supporters in the Northam Stand during Saturday’s Premier League match against Liverpool.

"The item has been retained by police and all additional information has been provided by the club to the police to assist with their enquiries.”

It has been reported that a police spokesperson said: "We had a rolling live log from before the game started until after the match where officers can post updates on what was happening.

"[There is a log] at 4.30pm saying an object had been thrown in the away section. Then at 4.34pm another report that it had struck a child.

"There's nothing concerning it until 5.12pm when an officer is approached and told a seven-year-old child had been hit by the object.

"It was described as a NOS canister."

NOS, or nitrous oxide, is often referred to as laughing gas and most commonly found in pressurised metal canisters.

Photos posted on social media following the game appear to show a young Saints fan clutching an ice pack to his face, with suggestions he was the victim of the alleged incident.

The Reds secured a 2-1 win at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday, with Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino each scoring a goal.