Gerrard cleared of affray

Liverpool fans all over the world have been holding their breath after the England international, 29, had been accused of punching a DJ three times 'with the style and speed of a professional boxer'. The trial did look gloomy as far as Gerrard's future was concerned.

Gerrard 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 incident followed a heated arguement over a list of songs.

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 reportedly showed no emotion when the jury foreman delivered the not guilty verdict after 70 minutes of deliberation. But he was said to be close to tears when testimonials on his character and behaviour as a football star and as a person were read out.

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.'

Asked at Liverpool Crown Court whether he was sickened by what he had done, the player said: 'I am certainly sorry.'

Giving evidence in his trial yesterday, the midfielder mimed an uppercut punch to demonstrate to the jury how he lashed out with what they have been told was 'with the style and speed of a professional boxer'.

The incident took place in the early hours of December 29 last year at the Lounge Inn, in Southport, Merseyside. Gerrard later told police that on a drunkenness scale of one to ten he was 'about seven' after drinking bottles of beer and downing a shot.

Gerrard told the court how he was used to being on the receiving end of 'mither' - hassle - from his own and rival fans.

'Sometimes their comments can be derogatory or insulting,' he said. 'I try to deal with them in the best way I can. I try to talk to people and smooth things over.'

He said the DJ told him "You are not putting any f****** music on here" when he inquired about his songs.

Gerrard went back to his seat but then ignored friends' advice to forget the incident and went back to the DJ. His friends followed and one of them hitting the DJ first. Gerrard told the court the DJ's reaction triggered his impulse to defend himself.

The footballer said he had never known the DJ was reacting to an assault. Gerrard said he had thought he landed the first punch because the DJ was coming forward.