Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard made a low key return to training at Melwood on Wednesday following a charge of assault and affray after a nightclub brawl in Southport. The 28-year-old England international arrived at the ground in the suburb of West Derby in his black Range Rover Sport at 10.05am.

He was greeted by a few fans who turned out despite the freezing temperatures to see him drive straight through the waiting open gates.

He has so far remained silent about the controversy and his wife Alex Curran, 26, said they would not be commenting.