Merseyside Police have confirmed they are investigating offensive tweets aimed at Everton stars Jordan Pickford and Richarlison following Saturday's Merseyside derby.
The 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the weekend became a controversial affair, with Virgil van Dijk requiring surgery following a challenge from the Blues goalkeeper which will keep him on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Meanwhile, Richarlison was shown a red card in the closing stages of the contest for a rash challenge on Liverpool summer signing Thiago, for which he later publicly apologised.
The Brazilian later deleted a follow-up tweet to his apology.
However, social media activity in the days following the game have led to Merseyside Police opening an investigation into abuse received by the Blues players.
In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson for the organisation said: "We are currently investigating a number of offensive Tweets made in relation to two Everton footballers.
"The language used in the Tweets is totally unacceptable and we are taking the reports extremely seriously.
"Those who use the internet to target others, and who commit criminal offences such as making threats or committing a hate crime in doing so, are not beyond the law.
"Detectives are making enquiries to identity the individuals who posted the Tweets and where we identify offences we will take action to bring those responsible to justice."
Earlier on Monday, the FA confirmed that Pickford would face no retrospective action for his challenge on Van Dijk.
Richarlison, meanwhile, will be absent until mid-November after being handed a three-match ban - missing the trips to Southampton and Newcastle while also being unavailable for the home game against Manchester United.
