Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is facing an FA probe after an altercation with Everton defender Mason Holgate.

The incident happened during the closing five minutes of the first half of an explosive FA Cup third round clash at Anfield, which Liverpool eventually won 2-1 .

Having been shoved into the crowd by the Blues player during a challenge, an unhappy Firmino was captured on camera shouting at Holgate in Portuguese after confronting the Blues centre-back.

Holgate was then seen to respond in an outraged manner while complaining to referee Bobby Madley at what had been said, and appeared to accuse Firmino of racist abuse.

Madley then went across to fourth official Jon Moss on the touchline who made a note of an exchange.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce was asked later during his post-match press conference whether the abuse had been of a racist nature, but choose to focus on football issues.

The entire incident will be included by Madley in his official match report that will be handed to the Football Association.

Show Player

Firmino was not requested to give a statement after the game but could be required to do so should the FA choose to further investigate the matter.

An FA spokesperson confirmed on Saturday: "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."

A Liverpool spokesperson said: “The club and player will fully co-operate with the relevant authorities to ensure the facts are established in a thorough manner if deemed necessary or requested.

“While that process is ongoing we will not be making any further comment.”

Both Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Everton counterpart Allardyce were asked about the flashpoint during the post-match press conference.

“I heard about something but I can't say anything so far,” said Klopp. “I haven't spoken to anybody. From now on, the club will answer. I don't really know anything about it.

“I misjudged that situation completely. I thought it was about Holgate's foul. At the end there was no foul, no yellow card, nothing. I didn't get it.

“I didn't understand the whole situation but I got information after the game that something obviously happened.

“The fourth official said something to me. I never heard the words so I thought they were going to investigate the Holgate foul. That's how I understood it.

“Then after the game... the fourth official informed me but it wasn't that I really got it (what was happening).”

Everton boss Allardyce was asked if Holgate's complaint regarded abuse of a racist nature from Firmino.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

“I'm telling you nothing until whatever systems are used to find out what exactly happened and what didn't happen,” he said.

“I'm here to talk about football, not controversial incidents. I want to talk about football because football is my life and anything else that happens outside of that has to be dealt with by the authorities.”

Asked if he'd spoken to Holgate about the incident, Allardyce added: “Even if I had or hadn't I wouldn't tell anybody today in this conference because that, for me, is in the other areas of the football club.

“I've left the director of football today to sort that out.”