Gerrard may miss Liverpool Asian tour

LONDON: Steven Gerrard looks set miss Liverpool’s Asian tour to Singapore and Thailand because of his ongoing court case.

According to The Mirror newspaper, Gerrard's court appearance is due to start next Monday (July 20) and will last for approximately two weeks, casting doubt on the Anfield favourite's ability to play in Asia.

The England midfielder, along with six others, has been accused of being involved in a fight last December at a club in Southport, Merseyside. They have all denied charges of affray.

Gerrard started in the friendly match against St Gallen last night and is preparing to play in another exhibition game in Austria on Sunday.

The entire team is then scheduled to leave Europe and head to Asia for matches against the Thailand and Singapore national teams on July 22 and 26 respectively.

Steve McMahon, commercial director of the Profitable Group who are responsible for bringing Liverpool to Asia, was however adamant that Liverpool will be bringing their entire squad.

"Every player will be on the trip to Thailand,"he told Thai publication The Bangkok Post.

"It (Gerrard's appearance) is something we cannot control,

"It is about the law. I don't know how long it will take. If everything is done in time then he will surely come to Thailand."

"I don't want to talk negatively. I want to give a positive answer like we have just signed Glen Johnson and he will come here," McMahon added.

There are also concerns surrounding the availability of midfielders Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.

Alonso is a summer transfer target for Real Madrid and Mascherano may be left behind so that he can be with his pregnant wife.