Gerrard faces affray trial alone

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will face trial alone after his six co-defendants on Tuesday admitted taking part in a bar brawl.

The 29-year-old Liverpool midfielder is accused of being part of a group that injured businessman Marcus McGee, 34, at the Lounge Inn nightclub in Southport near Liverpool, northwest England, in December last year.

Gerrard was celebrating Liverpool’s 5-1 defeat of Newcastle United at the time. He denies the charge of affray. An initial charge of assault was dropped at a court hearing in March.

Five of the defendants admitted affray, and one admitted a lesser charge of threatening behaviour.

A 20-strong jury panel at Liverpool Crown Court were asked a series of questions about the case, with Judge Henry Globe pressing potential jurors about their footballing loyalty.

“The jury oath or affirmation requires a jury to faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence,” he said.

“Do you confirm that you would be able to put aside any football loyalty or partiality and to take and abide by the strict terms of the oath or affirmation?”

The hearing adjourned for the panel to answer the questions.