Source: Telegraph
Liverpool and England share Steven Gerrard's relief at notguilty verdict on affray charge
The Liverpool captain appeared on the steps of Liverpool Crown Court today to declare his pleasure at the verdict, insisting he is "looking forward to the season ahead" after "putting the case behind me", offering thanks to his "legal team, friends and family and everyone at Liverpool Football Club" for their help and support.
His lawyers, perhaps, can expect similar gratitude from Gerrard's club and country, too.
A guilty verdict would have given both Liverpool and England much to ponder, regardless of sentence.
The club have steadfastly stood by their captain in the seven months since the incident, but his conviction would have prompted many to wonder whether he was a worthy captain for one of English football's most high-profile institutions.
Football clubs have a habit of supporting players in trouble with the law, as the likes of Dennis Wise, John Terry and Tony Adams can attest.
Even had Gerrard been jailed, it is unlikely to have resulted in his dismissal from the team with which he is synonymous. A fine and community service, though, could have resulted in a demotion, albeit temporary, until his reputation could be rebuilt.
That, now, will not be necessary. Instead, though Gerrard is unlikely to fly out to join his team-mates in the Far East, with Rafa Benitez's side facing Singapore on Sunday before returning to Merseyside, he can concentrate on preparing himself for the new campaign.
The England international will resume his pre-season programme in time to be in line to face Espanyol in Barcelona a week tomorrow.
Fabio Capello, too, and his bosses at the FA have been spared a difficult decision. A criminal record would no doubt have ended Gerrard's chances of ever captaining his country, while a jail sentence would probably have been enough to finish his ambitions of playing in next year's World Cup.
Deprive Capello of one of his greatest hopes or run the risk of public approbation at playing a fallen hero? A not-guilty verdict was the only way of finding a victory in a no-win situation.
Instead, as the judge in the case declared, Gerrard's "reputation is intact" after what was described as "a credible verdict."
Life will continue as normal, for Liverpool, for England. Gerrard will, though, know how close he came to ruining everything he has worked for over the last 11 years. He will, no doubt, be more careful where he drinks in future.
