Liverpool bar stabbing: Sam Cook died while celebrating 21st birthday

Sam Cook had turned 21 on Saturday and was out celebrating his birthday

A man who died in a stabbing at a bar had been out celebrating his 21st birthday, his family have said.

Sam Cook, from Crosby, was involved in an altercation in the basement of the Empire Bar in Seel Street, Liverpool, on Saturday night, police said.

A post-mortem examination found he died from a stab wound to the heart.

Paying tribute to him in a statement, his family said he had been "a hero" and a "role model" to his younger brothers.

Sharing a picture of him which was taken in the hours before he died, his family said the 21-year-old "always wanted to help people" and was "happy, caring and passionate about life".

They said "words can in no way begin to described the devastation and despair that has gripped our family".

Two 20-year-old men arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on conditional bail until a date next month

A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation.

Three men aged 28, 24 and 21 arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender were bailed until November.

Two women aged 19 arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have been released under investigation.

Police have appealed for anyone who was in Empire Club on Saturday and took photos or videos to send them to them.