"Liverpool"s crew prepared the cruiser's Carley floats and other small craft while warships, including ?, began to arrive at the scene. "Orion", screened by the anti-aircraft cruisers and , took her in tow at the stern. While being towed on 15 October, "Liverpool"s bow separated from the hull. Later in the day, 12 of the cruiser's sailors (including one unidentifiable at the time) were buried at sea. Three more died in the night and were buried before the two cruisers reached the port of Alexandria on 16 October. "Liverpool"s losses in the attack had amounted to 3 officers and 27 crewmen killed and 35 crewmen wounded. Her captain transferred in late October to the battleship ; his successor being Commander Welby. According to the journal of Midshipman William Hayes, "Liverpool", like nearby warships, had been forewarned of an imminent attack via radio direction finder (RDF), but the inexperienced rating on watch at his post did not report this to his superiors because of apparent confusion.