Liverpool's Sterling Denies Assault Charge

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling on Friday pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting his girlfriend.

Sterling is alleged to have attacked 19-year-old model Shana Ann Rose Halliday and he appeared at Liverpool's magistrates court to answer the charge.

The 18-year-old entered a not guilty plea, a court official said.

Sterling was granted conditional bail and will stand trial for common assault at the same court on September 20.

He spent Thursday night in a police cell after being arrested at 2130GMT following an incident in Page Moss, Huyton, Liverpool.

It has been reported the couple had earlier been celebrating Halliday's 20th birthday with a meal out and a row is understood to have taken place afterwards.

Sterling is due to travel with Liverpool to Dublin on Friday for Saturday's friendly against Celtic.

A Liverpool spokesperson said: "Raheem has denied the charges and as the case is ongoing, we will not be making any further comment at this time."

Halliday, from Liverpool, was crowned the winner of England's Top Model of the World beauty pageant earlier this year.

She went on to contest the pageant's world final in Egypt and reportedly works as a sales assistant for the Hollister clothing chain.