Monday 28 May 2018 10:18, UK
Merseyside Police will investigate death threats and hateful messages sent to Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius after his blunders in Saturday’s Champions League final.
Karius was badly at fault for Real Madrid's opening goal in their eventual 3-1 win in Kiev and was also caught out by Gareth Bale's long-range effort which proved to be the game's final goal.
The German 'keeper was the focus of hundreds of posts on social media, the majority appearing to come from aggrieved Liverpool supporters.
Other posts were directed at Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, who was at the centre of an incident which saw Liverpool's talismanic forward Mohamed Salah forced off with a dislocated shoulder.
A statement read: "Merseyside Police can confirm officers are aware of a number of comments/threats made towards football players via social media.
"The force takes social media posts of this nature extremely seriously and any offences identified will be investigated.
"Merseyside Police would like to remind social media users than any offences including malicious communications and threatening behaviour will be investigated."
Karius apologised for his performance not long after the final whistle, saying: "I feel sorry for everyone that the mistakes cost us dearly.
"If I could go back in time I would. I feel sorry for my team. I know I let them down today. These goals cost us the title basically.
"It's very hard right now but that's the life of a goalkeeper. You have to get your head up again."
