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The England footballer Steven Gerrard was charged early this morning with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an alleged nightclub brawl, Merseyside police said.

The Liverpool captain was charged with two other men who had also been arrested after a "disturbance” outside a late-night bar in Southport, Merseyside in the early hours of yesterday.

Gerrard, who has 70 caps for his country, was celebrating at the club in Southport when trouble broke out at about 2.30am on Monday.

It is understood that the alleged victim, Marcus McGee, who was a DJ at the club, was sitting behind the bar when Gerrard asked him to change the music. He is then said to have asked for the music card that operates the sound system. Mr McGee apparently refused.

Gerrard and five other men aged between 18 and 33 were arrested after the row. The Liverpool player was released from custody early this morning.

In a statement released at 2.20am, a Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police has charged Steven Gerrard, 28 years, of Formby, Sefton, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19 years, both from Huyton, Liverpool, with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an incident at Bold Street in Southport in the early hours of Monday, December 29.

"The three men will be appearing at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on January 23."

The spokesman said Gerrard and the two other men had been bailed and three other men who were arrested in connection with the incident were released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Mr McGee, a father of two who is thought to be a supporter of Liverpool’s great rival, Manchester United, was taken to hospital, where he received treatment for facial injuries before being released. His family said that he suffered a cut nose and swollen eye and was given four stitches. He also lost a tooth.

Gerrard, 28, who is married with two children, is understood to have been given permission by his club to attend the private party, hours after he had scored two goals in Liverpool’s 5-1 demolition of Newcastle United.

A club spokesman said: “Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last ten years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time.” He has the reputation of being a model professional who rarely drinks, and even more rarely stays out late.

Gerrard, who has captained England four times and is regarded as one of the world’s best midfielders, was appointed MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Sources at the club suggested that Rafael BenÍtez, the club manager and a noted disciplinarian, would take disciplinary action only if Gerrard were charged with any offence. The footballer is due to play on Saturday, when Liverpool take on Preston North End in the FA Cup third round.

The Lounge Inn, a restaurant that becomes a nightclub later in the evening, remained firmly closed yesterday despite continuing to advertise its New Year’s Eve menu at £59.95, but spots of blood were clearly visible on the floor, surrounded by shards of glass.

Mr McGee’s mother, Patricia McGee, 61, said last night: “He was only with his partner in the bar. I have absolutely no idea how he became involved in this. He was just out for a drink. The whole family is shaken up.”

John Watts, a lawyer whose daughter Eve was hosting a birthday party at the venue, said that Gerrard had been in good spirits during the night. He said: “He bought a bottle of champagne for my daughter when he found out it was her birthday. It was a really civilised occasion in a middle-class bar.”

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