Police to speak to Mersey clubs

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Officers are investigating claims Toffees captain Phil Neville was spat on and punched by Liverpool fans as he prepared to take a throw-in.

They are also looking at reports Anfield skipper and England international Steven Gerrard was subjected to hate-filled chants about his daughter.

Cameras clearly captured Neville, who was targeted for being a former Manchester United player, being abused by several fans in the second half of Liverpool's 1-0 victory.

And Gerrard faced a torrent of abuse as he walked to take a corner in front of visiting fans in the second half.

"Police will be speaking to the clubs involved," said a spokesman for Merseyside Police.

Everton spokesman Ian Ross said: "We felt it necessary to try to involve the safety officers and police because we cannot have a situation where supporters are having physical contact with professional footballers during the game.

"We want to make sure that doesn't happen again at the Merseyside derby or any other game."

Responding to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's comments that he was "very disappointed" by the abuse aimed at Gerrard, he added: "Whilst we would never condone the singling out of individual players for vitriolic insults, it is a shame that Mr Benitez chose to ignore the actions of his own club's supporters.

"In calling for Everton supporters to respect his players, Mr Benitez should, perhaps, remember his comments of 12 months ago when he sought to belittle one of world sport's oldest and most respected institutions by describing us as a 'small club'. Respect is a two-way street."