If I had to put money on it I would say parachute flares, I am in the Runcorn area and this time of year I see lots around nov 5th,
They do come down very slowly and burn very bright you can see them for many many miles on a clear night,
You say they were turning towards Liverpool, that could be explained by the fact that as they came lower in the sky the wind comes more from the left, there is around a 30deg difference from 3000ft down to 500ft.
Nick.