London, Mar. 21 : Liverpool football star Steven Gerrard has expressed relief after an assault charge against him was dropped on Friday.

The Liverpool midfielder, who faced the possibility of going to jail for five years for allegedly causing bodily harm to businessman Marcus McGee, 34, in a wine bar last December, hugged his lawyer after the charges were dropped.

On Friday, according to the Daily Star, prosecutors told magistrates they had decided to drop the assault charges due to lack of evidence.

Gerrard, 28, however, still faces a charge of affray following the alleged bust-up while he was celebrating a Liverpool victory with pals at the Lounge Inn bar in Southport, Merseyside. (ANI)