England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard pleaded not guilty to assaulting a man in a bar brawl in December.

The Liverpool captain was arrested in the early hours of December 29 after police were called to the Lounge Bar nightclub in Southport, north of Liverpool. Company director Marcus McGee, 34, required hospital treatment after receiving facial injuries. Gerrard told the North Sefton magistrates court that he intended to deny charges of assault occasioning bodily harm and affray. He was released on bail and the case was adjourned until March 20.

(Shanghai Daily January 24, 2009)