Football Association make enquiries into Merseyside derby allegation

The Football Association has announced that it will begin making enquiries into an allegation made to referee Bobby Madley after Roberto Firmino and Mason Holgate clashed during Friday's FA Cup clash between Liverpool and Everton.

Holgate and Firmino were involved in an angry exchange after the former pushed the latter over the advertising hoardings and into the crowd, and the two players had to be forcibly separated by Madley and their teammates after words were exchanged.

Neither player was booked after the first-half incident, and Liverpool said on Friday that they would co-operate fully in any investigation.

A statement released by the FA on Saturday read: "The FA can confirm that referee Bobby Madley was made aware of an allegation during the Liverpool versus Everton game at Anfield last night and has subsequently reported this to The FA, which will now begin making enquiries into the matter."

Virgil van Dijk scored the winner on his Liverpool debut to seal a 2-1 win over Everton and secure a place in the fourth round of the competition.