Gerrard to deny assault charge

Steven Gerrard is to deny assaulting a man during a nightclub brawl, a court heard today.

The Liverpool captain will plead not guilty to affray and assaulting company director Marcus McGee (aged 34) last month following the Reds’ 5-1 defeat of Newcastle.

Gerrard (aged 28), appeared before North Sefton Magistrates in Merseyside over his alleged part in a brawl at the Lounge Inn, Southport.

He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray along with John Doran (aged 29(, and Ian Smith (aged 19), both from Huyton, Merseyside.