Fan arrested over alleged racist gesture

POLICE arrested a 59-year-old man over an allegedly racist gesture made by a Liverpool fan toward Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

Merseyside Police began investigating footage of Saturday’s FA Cup match at Anfield after complaints were made when an image of the gesture was posted on Twitter. Police did not identify the man but gave his age and said he was from North Wales. He was detained late on Saturday night.

A total of 17 people were ejected either before or during Liverpool’s 2-1 win in the rivals’ first meeting since Luis Suarez allegedly abused Evra, who is black, in October.

Suarez is serving an eight-match Football Association ban over the incident and watched Saturday’s game from the stands.

Liverpool took the lead in the match through a Daniel Agger header but United, who dominated possession, hit back before the break thanks to a clinical Park Ji-Sung strike. But, just as the tie seemed destined for a replay, the hosts struck a winner two minutes from time through Dutchman Dirk Kuyt.

“As a professional you just need to keep going,” said Kuyt, who came on as a substitute having lost his place as a first-team regular at Anfield. “Sometimes things go very well and when things aren’t going well you just need to keep working hard. I have belief in myself but with the players around me supporting me we are all in it together.”