LIVERPOOL FC captain Steven Gerrard will appear in court for an alleged assault in a Southport bar just four days after a crucial Merseyside derby.

Police announced yesterday that the 28-year-old midfielder is due to face magistrates on January 23 – closely following the club’s Premier League home match against Everton on January 19.

Two other Huyton men – John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, and Ian Gerard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue – will also appear in connection with an alleged brawl at the Lounge Inn, Bold Street, in the early hours of Monday, which allegedly broke out after a song request was turned down.

The fracas allegedly focused on local businessman and part-time DJ Marcus McGee, 34, who lost a tooth and received stitches for cuts to his face after the incident.

Gerrard could face a maximum five-year jail term if convicted of actual bodily harm and affray, which he was charged with in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Yesterday, Liverpool FC pledged to fully back Gerrard, as the father-of-two was said to be “soul-searching” at his Formby mansion home, after more than 20 hours in police custody.

A club spokesman said: “Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years, and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time.”