Liverpool's mayor Joe Anderson brands residents 'moaners'
Liverpool's mayor has faced criticism for suggesting city residents are "moaners and pessimists" on social networking site Twitter.
The tweet read: "Only in Liverpool is the glass always half empty, only in Liverpool do the moaners and pessimists out voice the optimists."
Labour Mayor Joe Anderson's comments followed some criticism of a £260m plan to regenerate the Anfield area.
Liberal Democrat group leader Richard Kemp said the comments were "damaging".
Mr Kemp said: "I do think he's wrong. I think my city of Liverpool is incredibly resilient, there are all sorts of good things happening here and the mayor above all ought to be talking our city up not deriding it.
"He thinks criticism of him is criticism of Liverpool. Describing us like he has here damages investment and damages jobs."
The plans for Anfield, which are subject to a public consultation, would see Liverpool FC's stadium expanded and a business hub built.
It would also involve the building of new housing and the demolition of some existing properties.
Many residents welcomed the plans, which they said had seen several "false dawns" over the past decade.
Others criticised the way the proposal has been dealt with and said the council's purchase offer for homes earmarked for demolition was too low.