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.
Sadio Mane (pictured), Naby Keita and Trent Alexander-Arnold have suffered vile racist abuse
Liverpool fell to a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarters
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.
Reds star Alexander-Arnold, alongside team-mates Keita and Mane, were sent abuse online
The Englishman was sent monkey emojis by ‘kalli.200’ on his latest Instagram post
One user, called ‘manuel25vinicius’ labelled Mane a ‘gorilla’ and a ‘monkey’ on his Instagram
Meanwhile, ‘ahmed.koke19’ sent Keita abuse while others sent monkey and gorilla emojis
Keita was withdrawn before half time while the full back and attacker had quiet performance
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.
‘The current situation cannot be allowed to continue and it is incumbent on all of us to ensure that it does not.’
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 have responded to ‘abhorrent’ abuse and called on platforms to tighten regulations
Fabinho’s wife Rebeca Tavares said ‘we stand against racism’ in response to the vile abuse
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’.
Football has faced growing concerns surrounding the abuse levelled at players on social media platforms, with stars regularly targeted.
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.
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.
Social media platforms are facing calls to tighten regulations by clubs and ministers
Thierry Henry said that he will disable his social media accounts until changes are made
The Arsenal legend called on platforms to do more to combat ‘bullying and racism’
‘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.’