Reds back Gerrard despite charges

The 28-year-old midfielder was charged in relation to an incident in a Southport bar in the early hours of Monday.

A club spokesman told the Liverpool Echo: "Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time."

Behind the scenes, club sources confirmed England international Gerrard had done nothing wrong by being out with friends.

"The players flew back from their game with Newcastle and all the players have had two days off," said the source.

"They only play again on Saturday so it was agreed everyone could have Monday and Tuesday off.

"They'll all be back in training tomorrow (Wednesday) along with Stevie.

"The thinking is he will get on with things as normal.

"The whole club is 100% behind Stevie and that includes the manager who has told him as much."

Gerrard's arrest occurred just hours after a man-of-the-match display in Sunday's 5-1 win at Newcastle.

That victory put the Reds three points clear at the top of the Premier League and raised hopes of a first domestic title since 1990.

Gerrard was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an alleged brawl, Merseyside police announced overnight. He was released from Southport police station early on Tuesday morning.

He was charged along with two other men who had also been arrested after a "disturbance" outside the late-night Lounge Inn.

The venue's DJ, a 34-year-old local man, required hospital treatment after suffering facial injuries.

Gerrard was at the restaurant and bar - which turns into a nightclub - with friends to celebrate the victory at Newcastle.

Before the night was in full swing, Gerrard enjoyed a chat and drinks with Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish.

"Stevie was signing autographs for people and was most certainly not drunk," said the source.

"He was talking to Kenny about how he could help Kenny's wife's cancer charity work."

After Dalglish left, Gerrard's group toasted him for scoring two goals in the victory over Newcastle.

But trouble apparently flared in the early hours and the star was arrested with five other men.

In a statement, a Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police has charged Steven Gerrard, 28 years, of Formby, Sefton, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19 years, both from Huyton, Liverpool, with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an incident at Bold Street in Southport in the early hours of Monday, December 29.

"The three men will be appearing at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on January 23."

The spokesman said Gerrard and the two other men had been bailed and three other men who were arrested in connection with the incident were released on police bail pending further inquiries.

After the game on Sunday, Gerrard, who scored twice, hailed his table-topping side as the best he has played in.

But several hours later, he was apparently caught up in an altercation outside the Southport bar on Bold Street.

Police were called and arrested six men on suspicion of assault in nearby Lord Street.

The town centre business remained shut on Monday but evidence of a fight inside could be seen through the windows.

Spots of blood were clearly visible on the floor, along with shards of broken glass.

On Tuesday, despite his club's backing, Gerrard remained silent.

He rested at his home in Formby near Southport with wife Alex Curran.

There was no answer at the house but the couple left at 1.15pm in their black Range Rover with Gerrard at the wheel.

Curran, a model and fashion columnist, dropped the father of her two daughters home at 3.35pm before driving away.

Gerrard has been capped by England 70 times and has captained his country on four occasions.

He was made an MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Liverpool's next match is against Preston in the FA Cup on Saturday.

If he gets 5 years, that will be an end to his football career and Liverpools captain, but, i dont think he will go to jail, maybe a fine and some comunity service, I bet Liverpool fans will hope for that

yhh they'll hav the best lawyers in the country for him! he won't go to jail!
but i wud love to see him lose his place on the england squad, like barton did. treat them all the same! he hasn't been playing well for england anyway
x

Very harsh there, lol, but, we will just have to wait and see