Gerrard cleared of affray

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is a free man after he was cleared of unjustly attacking a man in a bar.

The England midfielder admitted hitting Marcus McGee, 34, in a Southport bar last December and a jury at the city's Crown Court accepted his explanation that it was in self-defence.

The 29-year-old was the only one of seven defendants to be cleared over the "explosion of violence" at the Lounge Inn during which Mr McGee lost a tooth and suffered facial cuts.

Gerrard showed no emotion when the jury foreman delivered the not guilty verdict after 70 minutes of deliberation.

Judge Henry Globe told the footballer: "The verdict is a credible verdict on the full facts of this case, and you walk away from this court with your reputation intact."

Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Gerrard said: "Can I just say how pleased I am with the verdict.

"I'd like to put this case behind me. I'm really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and to everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me."