Gerrard arrested after alleged assault

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Liverpool star Steven Gerrard was among six men arrested early on Monday following an alleged assault in the north west England town of Southport only hours after he scored twice in a Premier League game at Newcastle.

According to the Liverpool Echo Web site 28-year-old club captain and England international Gerrard spent the night in police custody and was still being quizzed about the claims on Monday.

PA Sport quoted a police spokesman saying: "Merseyside Police is investigating an assault that took place in the early hours of December 29.

"At around 2.30am, officers attended a disturbance at a licensed premises on Bold Street, Southport.

"Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault. The men, four aged 33, 31, 29 and 19, who all come from the Huyton area, a 28-year-old man from Formby and an 18-year-old man from Litherland remain in police custody.

"A 34-year-old man from Southport was taken to hospital with facial injuries which are not believed to be life threatening."

Police sources later revealed the incident took place at the Lounge Inn in Southport and that the victim was the DJ at the premises.

Gerrard was at the restaurant and bar -- which turns into a nightclub -- with friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 victory that kept them top of the Premier League.

The premises remained shut on Monday but evidence of a fight inside could be seen through the windows. Spots of blood were clearly visible on the floor, and shards of broken glass.

Hours earlier Gerrard had produced a man-of-the-match performance to score twice as Liverpool crushed Newcastle. Gerrard opened the scoring after 31 minutes and added a second after 66 minutes before being substituted.

Afterwards he said: "This is the best (Liverpool) team I have played with. You look around the dressing room and from the goalkeeper to the forwards we have some fantastic players and there is a confidence and belief there."

He also said: "If you want to stay at the top and be involved in this title race you have got to deal with the pressure."

A Liverpool FC spokesman said the club would not be commenting on the alleged incident.