Gerrard 'totally lost it' in CD row

The Liverpool captain launched the assault on businessman Marcus McGee, 34, after the victim refused to hand over control of a CD player at a bar last year, it was alleged at Liverpool Crown Court.

The 29-year-old, who denies affray, was with friends at the Lounge Inn, in Southport, Merseyside, in the early hours of December 29 when his party clashed with McGee, a member of another group.

David Turner QC, prosecuting, told the court that Gerrard asked McGee for a card controlling the CD player, saying: "Here y'are lad. Give me that lad."

Mr Turner said: "Mr McGee took offence at his attitude and the expression 'lad' and he refused. Not many people on Merseyside, or indeed anywhere else, would refuse a request from Steven Gerrard but Mr McGee did. There can be no doubt that this refusal astounded Steven Gerrard. He walked away back to his party but the CCTV shows how much his mood had changed. He was no longer the centre of that high spirited party. He was clearly walking around pondering, musing over what had happened - about the man who said 'no' to Steven Gerrard."

After about six minutes Gerrard returned to the victim who was sitting alone at the bar and allegedly confronted him with the words: "Who the f*** do you think you are?"

Mr McGee, who was not a DJ but was in charge of music for the night, stood up to Gerrard, Mr Turner said. The pair were head to head, he said, "in the sort of hostile confrontation that is often seen between professional footballers". The barrister added: "Steven Gerrard had clearly lost his cool: he was angry with Marcus McGee."

The situation attracted the millionaire's friends. One, John Doran, who has admitted affray, pushed McGee away but "could not resist following through with his right elbow into Mr McGee's face", said Mr Turner.

"We say at this stage Gerrard totally lost it. Almost immediately after the blow from John Doran, in fact within seconds, Steven Gerrard joined in the attack with a succession of well aimed uppercut punches delivered with the style and speed of a professional boxer rather than a professional footballer."

Gerrard sat in the dock throughout the proceedings, listening carefully and looking straight ahead. The case continues.