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Appalled Twitter users slammed Merseyside Police after a post by the force appeared to make light of a comment about rape.

The row erupted after a football fan tweeted the force's official Twitter account this afternoon, saying: "Hello. I'd like to report an incident of rape that occurred at Goodison Park, Liverpool on November 1st at 3:00."

The post was made in reference to Everton FC's 6-2 win over Sunderland today.

Minutes later, the police account responded: "Just confirm there was no actual rape for me? Sunderland certainly got caught with their pants down though."

The post prompted outrage, with some calling for the member of staff responsible to be sacked.

One Twitter user, @Tenniswatch3r, said: "who is responsible for this Twitter account - what is your name? You should be sacked with immediate effect."

A further tweet reply appeared to refer to Chelsea's poor run of form, which included yesterday's 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool.

Another, @TFTMv4, said: "Nice to see our police force taking the concept of rape seriously here.."

And writer Tony Schumacher said: "I'm not sure it's appropriate for a police service to tweet that, it should be deleted."

Meanwhile @dullardcostner wrote: "How incredibly crass from Merseyside Police".

The ECHO has contacted Merseyside Police for a comment.