Steven Gerrard has denied assaulting Southport businessman Marcus McGee.

Wearing a dark blue suit and blue and white striped tie, the Liverpool captain and two co-defendants indicated not guilty pleas to assault causing actual bodily harm and affray, in front of resort magistrates this morning (Friday January 23).

Nick Evans, prosecuting, requested a 10-week adjournment.

But Gerrard's solicitor Richard Green asked the standard eight-week adjournment be ordered.

Gerrard, 28, of Victoria Road, Formby, together with John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, Huyton, and Ian Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, Huyton-with-Roby are charged with an incident at the Lounge Inn, Bold Street, in the early hours of Monday December 29.

Gerrard arrived at court in a black BMW and was met at the door and chauffeur-driven away after the 30-minute hearing. His wife Alex Curran did not accompany him.

Magistrates Ray Rourkin, Maria Moran and Simon Chapman adjourned the matter to Friday March 20 at the same court.

The defendants must not enter the Lounge Inn, unless accompanied by their solicitor, and must not contact the alleged victim Marcus McGee, 34, his parter Gina Lond, Lounge Inn manager Sabrina Malik, staff Lee Wilkinson and Pearse Jackson and other witnesses Kate Wilson, Jade Bevan, Stacey Maxwell, Samantha Patel and Nathaniel Lockie.

By Natasha Robson