England and Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard has been arrested following an alleged assault.

Police were called at about 0230 GMT following an incident at a pub in Southport, Merseyside. Six men were detained later in a nearby street.

The men, four from Huyton, one from Formby and one from Litherland, remain in police custody.

A 34-year-old man from Southport was taken to hospital with facial injuries, not thought to be life-threatening.

Club captain

The incident is alleged to have taken place at the Lounge Inn, on Bold Street.

Four men aged 33, 31, 29 and 19, all from Huyton, a 28-year-old from Formby and an 18-year-old from Litherland were arrested a short time later on nearby Lord Street.

Midfielder Gerrard, 28, is Liverpool captain and scored twice in his team's 5-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday.

A police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police is investigating an assault that took place in the early hours of Monday December 29 on Bold Street in Southport.

"At around 2.30am this morning officers attended a disturbance at a licensed premises on Bold Street.

"Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault on Lord Street."

The spokesman added all currently remained in custody.

Gerrard was born and grew up on Huyton's Bluebell Estate.

He started his footballing life playing for Whiston Juniors, before being spotted by a Liverpool scout at the age of eight.

Last month the Premier League star was given the freedom of his home borough of Knowsley in recognition of his contribution to football.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...de/7802932.stm