His colleagues have been told to leave the £500m Bramley Moore Dock site where work by main contractor Laing O’Rourke has been suspended until further notice.

The 26-year-old victim is understood to have suffered severe head injuries and was treated at the scene but declared dead at Aintree  Hospital a short time later.

A spokesperson for Laing O’Rourke said: “We can confirm that earlier today a member of our team, who was carrying out work for one of our subcontractors, was seriously injured in an incident. He was taken to hospital via ambulance, where he sadly died.

“We are shocked and saddened by today’s tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased man and our wider project team.

“The police and the Health and Safety Executive are on site and we have suspended work until further notice. We will cooperate fully with any investigation that follows.”

Everton added: “Everyone at Everton Football Club is heartbroken by the news a male worker has died following an incident at the Everton Stadium site at Bramley-Moore Dock.

“The thoughts and condolences of everyone connected with Everton are with his family, friends and colleagues at this unimaginably sad time.

“Stadium Contractor Laing O’Rourke will cooperate with Merseyside Police and the Health and Safety Executive in their investigations.”