Police probe Mario Balotelli racist abuse as Kick It Out voice their displeasure

The Liverpool striker has been a victim of racism in Italy in the recent past

Mario Balotelli celebrates his first Liverpool goal (GETTY IMAGES)

The police are investigating the racist abuse encountered by Mario Balotelli on Sunday afternoon after the striker posted a tweet mocking Manchester United's plight.

Balotelli posted "Man Utd...LOL" on the social media site just minutes after the final whistle had sounded on Manchester United's crushing defeat at the King Power Stadium.

No sooner had the Liverpool striker released the three-word missive into the Twittersphere than he found himself on the receiving end of a large number of racist replies.

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Many appeared to call Balotelli a monkey - the same abuse he endured whilst playing in Italy.

In May, Italy's World Cup preparations were disrupted when police dispersed a crowd aiming racist invective at the then-AC Milan star.

Following the incident, Balotelli's Italy teammate Ciro Immobile said: "In 2014, we shouldn't need to be talking about racism again."

In 2013, Balotelli and Kevin Prince-Boateng were targeted by Roma fans. Reacting to that incident, Balotelli warned that he would walk off the pitch were he ever to experience racist abuse again as a player.

The racism this time was highlighted by lots of social media users, with many tweeting their disgust at such racism.

Merseyside Police are now investigating the incident, with a number of accounts from which the abuse originated having been closed down.

The anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out have announced that they will be reporting the invective to the relevant authorities.