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Steven Gerrard was expected back in training with Liverpool overnight but has already been offered personal reassurances by manager Rafael Benitez despite being charged with assault and affray after a nightclub brawl.
Gerrard and Benitez spoke briefly by telephone yesterday morning, though Liverpool were keen to avoid any
impression that they are pre-judging legal proceedings.
The knowledge that the club captain will not face orders to explain himself in the manager's office at Melwood will come as a major boost to a player who spent yesterday at his home in Formby, coming to terms with what had unfolded at a Southport restaurant-bar in the early hours of Monday morning.
Benitez contacted Gerrard from his own home, where he is recovering from kidney stones surgery, and sanctioned Liverpool's early and unequivocal pledge of support for their captain. "He 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," a statement read.
It is understood that one of those Gerrard might be able to call on, should he choose when the case comes to court, is the former Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, who lives in Southport. Gerrard apparently encountered Dalglish and his wife Marina at the Lounge Inn 15 minutes before the fracas and the three are understood to have had a calm discussion about Mrs Dalglish's breast cancer charity.
Gerrard was not in breach of a curfew when he headed off for an evening out in Southport after flying home from the 5-1 victory at Newcastle. The players had been granted Monday and yesterday off and if, as had always seemed possible, Gerrard misses Sunday's FA Cup third round tie with Preston, he could have assumed it would be 13 days until his next competitive match. Only if Gerrard is adjudged to have played an active part in any attack is a
jail sentence a realistic prospect for an individual with no previous convictions - despite internet talk of five-year jail terms.
The Football Association will reserve any judgment until the outcome of a trial. That goes for Liverpool, too, though the club were taking what comfort they could from the photos of Gerrard taken throughout the evening and the 28-year-old's decision to buy a stranger a birthday bottle of champagne - proof, the club hopes, that Gerrard acquitted himself sensibly.
The Gerrard camp said he was anxious to get back to training, having spent yesterday with his wife, Alex Curran, and their children Lilly-Ella and Lexie.
His long stint in police cells at Southport was attributable to the fact that interviews did not begin until 2.30pm [GMT] on Tuesday, concluding three hours later.
The 28-year-old, along with two men from his home district of Huyton, will answer assault and affray charges before North Sefton magistrates in Southport on January 23, four days before the Merseyside derby.
A further two men were released on bail along with Accrington Stanley winger Bobby Grant, 18, from Litherland.
- INDEPENDENT