Police are investigating potentially racist tweets towards Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli after the Italian used the social media site to poke fun at Manchester United following their 5-3 loss at Leicester City on Sunday.
The often outspoken Balotelli wrote "Man Utd LOL" (laughing out loud), which prompted a deluge of negative replies.
Several Twitter users used the term 'monkey' and one reportedly said "go eat some bananas and get some ebola."
Some of the posts have since disappeared.
"We can confirm officers are looking into offensive comments made on Twitter about Mario Balotelli earlier today," Merseyside Police, the force for Liverpool, said on Twitter.
Fans leapt to defend the Liverpool star, with many condemning the use of the apparent racial abuse.
Balotelli has been the subject of racist abuse in the past. During a pre-World Cup training session in May he was heckled by Italy supporters.
He was also on the receiving end of several instances of racist abuse during stints at Internazionale and AC Milan.
Liverpool and Manchester United are among the Premier League's most bitter foes while Balotelli also previously played for United's neighbours Manchester City.
While struggling United went down to promoted Leicester despite leading by two goals twice, faltering Liverpool lost 3-1 at West Ham United on Saturday.
