The 28-year-old midfielder was charged in relation to an incident in a Southport bar in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A club spokesman told the Liverpool Echo: "Steven 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."

The comment is the only one to have been made by the club in relation to Gerrard's arrest, which occurred just hours after a man-of-the-match display in Sunday's 5-1 win at Newcastle.

That victory put the Reds three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League and raised hopes of a first domestic title since 1990.

Gerrard was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an alleged brawl, Merseyside police announced overnight. He was released from Southport police station early this morning.

He was charged along with two other men who had also been arrested after a "disturbance" outside the late-night Lounge Inn.

The venue's DJ, a 34-year-old local man, required hospital treatment after suffering facial injuries.

Gerrard was at the restaurant and bar - which turns into a nightclub - with friends to celebrate the victory at Newcastle.

In a statement, 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 inquiries.

After the game on Sunday Gerrard, who scored twice, hailed his table-topping side as the best he has played in.

But several hours later he was apparently caught up in an altercation outside the Southport bar on Bold Street.

Police were called and arrested six men on suspicion of assault in nearby Lord Street.

The town centre business remained shut yesterday but evidence of a fight inside could be seen through the windows.

Spots of blood were clearly visible on the floor, along with shards of broken glass.

Gerrard has been capped by England 70 times and has captained his country on four occasions.

He was made an MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Liverpool's next match is against Preston in the FA Cup on Saturday.