Liverpool and Everton fans were warned that police are considering taking action after unsavoury terrace chants at recent derbies, and are involved in talks with the Crown Prosecution Service. Liverpool and Everton meet in a Premiership game on Monday evening and the following Sunday afternoon in the FA Cup, both at Anfield.

Police today warned they would remove offenders from the ground and seek bans.

Football commander for Merseyside police Chief Supt Dave Lewis said: "We will speak to the CPS to see if what is sung is viewed as abusive.

"We could arrest people and charge them. We won't be arresting hundreds as we haven't got the resources to do so and could prompt a mêlée.

"Some of the singing can be abhorrent and we have to draw a line under it."

Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said: "We always urge our fans to behave appropriately, not just at derby games, but at every match.

"At a previous derby at Anfield there was some pretty unpleasant chanting from both sets of supporters, although it was not racist or homophobic."

There was no-one available to comment at Liverpool FC.