Manchester City have promised to punish any supporters who they find to have sung despicable chants about the Hillsborough disaster while at Anfield last Sunday.
Away fans were filmed describing Liverpool supporters as "murderers" after watching their team lose 1-0 to Jurgen Klopp 's side in a fiery meeting between the two teams in the Premier League.
But the enthralling match was marred by off-field incidents, with City boss Pep Guardiola claiming to have been targeted by home fans with coins and his club alleging that their team bus had been damaged when leaving the ground.
Merseyside Police confirmed on Monday that they were working with both clubs to address the string of incidents and now City have privately been in touch with Liverpool supporters who voiced their anger after hearing references to both the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters.
While the Etihad club are yet to make public any criticism of the vile chants, City did offer an apology when the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance got in touch and asked them to make a statement. "Thank you for contacting Manchester City," an email reply read, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
"We are sorry to read that you and other families have been affected by the events which took place on Sunday, particularly given your personal connections to the tragedy of the Hillsborough disaster. As a Club we strongly condemn the chanting or singing of songs with connotations to footballing tragedies and will continue to sanction those individuals who are found to be responsible for such behaviour.
"Alongside condemning behaviour of this nature, we stand with Liverpool fans in marking the anniversary of Hillsborough each year to remember those who sadly lost their lives.
"At the same time, we also commend the action of many organisations who continue to educate the wider public about the tragedy and those who call for positive action to be taken through the Hillsborough Law campaign.
"Ahead of the next meeting between the two clubs, we will contact all of our Season Ticket and Matchday Members to reiterate that this type of of hateful chanting and singing has no place in the game and ask the vast majority of our fans who would never engage in such behaviour to call out and report any individual that chooses to do so. Thank you again for contacting the Club."
The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance then responded, writing: "We're glad they have replied to the email. We have replied again asking for a public statement."
A statement from Liverpool in reaction to the chants read: "We are deeply disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies from the away section during today's game at Anfield. We know the impact such behaviour has on the families, survivors and all those associated with such disasters.
"We are working with the relevant authorities and we will also work with Manchester City in order to do our utmost to ensure these chants are eradicated from football altogether."
