Source: Daily_Mail
No wonder he's smiling: Gerrard hits jackpot with £26m new Liverpool deal before pleading not guilt
Steven Gerrard today denied being involved in a nightclub fight - on the day he was handed a hefty pay rise by Liverpool.
The Anfield captain pleaded not guilty to affray when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court. The 28-year-old was accused of being part of a group that injured businessman Marcus McGee, 34, at the Lounge Inn, Southport, in the early hours of December 29 last year.
The 28-year-old had two years to run on his £100,000 a week Liverpool deal but has agreed improved terms to stay at the club until 2013.
He has surpassed Fernando Torres as the top owner at the club and will pick up about £125,000 a week in a deal that will be worth close to £26million.
Manager Rafael Benitez told the club's website: 'This is fantastic news for the club. Steven has once again shown his commitment and it was an easy deal to agree. As soon as we offered him the option he said yes. There were no problems at all. He wants to stay for life.
'This deal sends out another clear message that we are moving forward as a club. To know we have a player of Steven's quality with us for many more years is a great boost for the club and the fans.
