Liverpool winger: I did not hit my girlfriend

Liverpool footballer Raheem Sterling has appeared in court to deny assaulting his 20-year-old girlfriend Shana Halliday.

The 18-year-old winger spent Thursday night in a police cell after being arrested at 10.30pm following an incident in Liverpool, Mail Online reported.

Sterling was granted conditional bail and will stand trial on Sept 20.

It is believed the couple had earlier been celebrating her 20th birthday with a meal out.

The hour before Sterling was arrested, he tweeted: "This food is getting dealt with" and posted pictures of a knife and fork, a chicken leg and ice cream.

Miss Halliday was crowned the winner of England's Top Model of the World pageant and represented the country for the world title in March.

The sales assistant has been dating the footballer for about three years since he joined the Merseyside club.

Sterling enjoyed a breakthrough year for Liverpool last year, but tailed off as the season progressed.

He was included in the Liverpool squad which flew to Dublin on Friday night for yesterday's friendly against Scottish club Celtic.

He will also be free to play for England Under-21s against Scotland on Tuesday.

He could be jailed if found guilty of assault.

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