LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Police are set to speak to both Liverpool and Everton after Sunday's Merseyside derby appeared to be marred by a series of unsavoury incidents.

Of particular concern to officers are allegations that Phil Neville, the Everton captain, was spat on and punched by Liverpool fans as he prepared to take a throw-in.

They are also examining reports that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was subjected to hateful chants regarding his daughter.

Cameras clearly showed Neville, who was targeted for formerly playing for Manchester United, Liverpool's bitter rivals, being abused by several fans during the second-half of Liverpool's 1-0 victory at Anfield as he got ready to take a throw-in.

Gerrard faced a torrent of abuse as he walked to take a corner in front of visiting fans in the second-half.

"Police will be speaking to the clubs involved today," a spokesman for Merseyside Police said Tuesday.

Everton spokesman Ian Ross said: "We felt it necessary to try to involve the safety officers and police because we cannot have a situation where supporters are having physical contact with professional footballers during the game.

"We want to make sure that doesn't happen again at the Merseyside derby or any other game."

Meanwhile the war of words that has been simmering between the two clubs for several months was heated up by Ross.

Responding to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's comments that he was "very disappointed" by the abuse aimed at Gerrard, the Everton spokesman added: "Whilst we would never condone the singling out of individual players for vitriolic insults, it is a shame that Mr Benitez chose to ignore the actions of his own club's supporters.

"Not only was Joleon Lescott subjected to an afternoon-long barrage of quite disgusting and quite audible abuse, Phil Neville was seemingly spat at several times and was also punched in the back by a supporter as he took a throw-in.

"We have asked Merseyside Police and our safety officer to look into the matter.

"In calling for Everton supporters to respect his players, Mr Benitez should, perhaps, remember his comments of 12 months ago when he sought to belittle one of world sport's oldest and most respected institutions by describing us as a 'small club'.

"Respect is a two-way street."

Sunday's match belied the fixture's reputation as the 'friendly derby'. In the past, fans of both Liverpool and Everton have made much of how fans at such games mix freely together with nothing more than the odd amusing comment exchanged between rival supporters.

This season both sides have been involved in a protracted battle for the fourth place in the Premier League, the last available Champions League qualifying position on offer to English clubs.

Liverpool's win left them in fourth place and five points clear of Everton with just six league games of the season left.