Liverpool have hit out at the 'abhorrent' racist abuse directed at Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane following the Reds' Champions League defeat by Real Madrid.
The trio started as Madrid secured a 3-1 victory in the first leg of the quarter final clash in Spain, with Jurgen Klopp's side deservedly beaten by Zinedine Zidane's Los Blancos.
Guinea international Keita, 26, was sent monkey and banana emojis under his most recent Instagram post.
Offensive posts were put underneath Alexander-Arnold's Instagram post from Easter Sunday, with users posting monkey emojis.
Meanwhile, a user called 'manuel25vinicius' sent a number of comments to Mane in which he was labelled a 'gorilla' and a 'monkey'.
Keita was deployed in midfield by Klopp who withdrew the former RB Leipzig star before the half time break, while Alexander-Arnold's error led to Madrid's second goal, scored by Marco Asensio. Mane was unable to find the net and help the Reds claw their way back into the contest.
Liverpool have responded to the disgusting abuse sent to their players, labelling the responses 'abhorrent', before calling on social media platforms to do more to tighten regulations.
'Once again we are sadly discussing abhorrent racial abuse the morning after a football game,' the statement read. 'It is utterly unacceptable and it has to stop'.
According to Sky Sports News, Facebook, which owns Instagram, is investigating the issue as pressure piles on social media platforms to combat vile abuse sent to sports stars.
Liverpool supporter group The Anfield Watch shared screenshots of the 'disgraceful' abuse sent Keita's way, and Fabinho's wife Rebeca Tavares commented: 'WE STAND AGAINST RACISM'.
Last month, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry announced he would leave social media until the platforms start taking racism seriously.
The Arsenal legend, 43, says he will only return once companies regulate online abuse ‘with the same vigour and ferocity’ as they tackle copyright infringements.
Football has faced growing concerns surrounding the abuse levelled at players on social media platforms, with stars regularly targeted.
Manchester United midfielder Fred received vile racist abuse following the FA Cup quarter-final exit to Leicester last week, in which the Brazilian made an error leading to Kelechi Iheanacho's opener.
Red Devils team-mates Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe have also been abused online this campaign.
England international Rashford spoke out after being targeted following United's draw at Arsenal in January.
'Humanity and social media at its worst. Yes I'm a black man and I live every day proud that I am. No one, or no one comment, is going to make me feel any different. So sorry if you were looking for a strong reaction, you're just simply not going to get it here.'
On Wednesday, Brentford backed star striker Ivan Toney after the Championship's leading goalscorer was targeted following the Bees' 0-0 draw with Birmingham City.
Toney posted a screenshot of an offensive post sent to him by Instagram user 'alexw1422' which included banana and monkey emojis. He wrote: 'Honestly, I'm done.'
The striker also shared a screenshot of a similar message sent by the same anonymous user to his Brentford team-mate Bryan Mbeumo. The French winger had shared the post with the message: 'When will it stop?'
Match of the Day pundit and Arsenal icon Ian Wright was left 'disappointed' after a teenager who abused him on Instagram was not given a criminal conviction.
Patrick O'Brien, 18, sent 20 vitriolic messages to Wright in May 2019 after losing a game of FIFA. The Irish teenager was given probation.
'I can only wonder what deterrent there is for anyone else who spouts this kind of vile racist abuse,' said Wright. 'I am disappointed. I'm tired. We are all tired.'
Aman1997
446
whatever the performance may be, racism cannot be tolerated at all.
AGAD
388
some of liverpool are most stupid fools I always say liverpool can't do without mane best performance and that's what is happening even with Van Dyik in and mane is not performing well liverpool can't still make it mane might not performing well now not he's out of form but he doesn't get the recognition he deserves Many people will disagree with me in this but mane did what he's doing out frustration 1. in 2016/2017 season mane join liverpool after liverpool finished 8 position and in his first season liverpool finished top 4 no recognition no praise for mane 2 in 2017/2018 season Salah join and have a great season in which liverpool finished in the same position zero trophy and got what he deserves 3 in 2018/2019 season mane was having season of life where he shared Golden boot with salah and Aub without scoring a single penalty and also knock out Barca with his best performance in the game, won penalty in UCL final and also his two goals won liverpool super cup All the recognition goes to van Dyik. 4. in 2019/20 season liverpool won EPL for the first time in 30 Year and mane was having best season than any other liverpool player but they give all the praises to hernderson. I'M Supporting mane for what ever he's doing because all his hard work goes others who did nothing NO MANE Liverpool is an average team take it or leave