The Daily Telegraph - Sport

Barkley knocked to floor in Liverpool bar attack

Police investigat­e after Everton player punched Lack of England game time frustrates midfielder

- By James Ducker NORTHERN FOOTBALL CORRESPOND­ENT

Merseyside Police have launched an investigat­ion after video footage emerged of the Everton midfielder Ross Barkley being punched in a bar in Liverpool city centre, hours after playing in his side’s 4-2 home win over Leicester City.

Barkley appeared to be struck twice and was knocked to the ground, before his attacker was dragged away by other revellers. The incident is reported to have happened in the Santa Chupitos cocktail bar, in Slater Street, in the early hours of yesterday.

Barkley’s lawyer described the incident as an “unprovoked attack by a stranger”. It is understood that Barkley was not knocked out and did not suffer concussion, which would have made him a doubt for Saturday’s game at home to Burnley.

He is said to have been examined by Everton’s medical staff, who must adhere to strict rules governing head injuries, and was passed fit to take part in a light warm-down session yesterday.

Barkley is believed to have spoken to Ronald Koeman, the Everton manager, and is not expected to face disciplina­ry action over the incident. He was not thought to have been under any curfew, and Everton’s players had permission to go out following the Leicester game.

Everton have yet to comment on the incident, but Barkley’s lawyer confirmed that the player was the person in the CCTV footage being circulated on social media. Matt Himsworth, managing director of Himsworths Legal, said: “Ross was the victim of an unprovoked attack

by a stranger who approached him on Sunday evening.”

Santa Chupitos said the person responsibl­e for leaking footage of the attack on the internet would be sacked. A spokesman added: “We take the privacy of anyone in our bar extremely seriously, and what has happened is very disappoint­ing. It’s very rare that any altercatio­ns happen in the venue. We’ll work with the authoritie­s to help in any way we can now.”

Merseyside Police confirmed they were looking into the matter, adding in a statement: “No report of an assault has been received but officers are making inquiries to establish the circumstan­ces of the incident.”

Barkley is out of contract at Everton at the end of next season, and Koeman admitted on Sunday that the player would have to be sold if he did not sign a new deal this summer.

The Leicester game marked a return to form for the midfielder, who had been criticised for his performanc­e in the recent 3-1 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield, and was an unused substitute in England’s matches against Germany and Lithuania last month.

Barkley has not played a minute of football during his last seven England call-ups, and said after the Leicester defeat that he was frustrated at his lack of playing time for his country, but vowed to force his way into manager Gareth Southgate’s line-up.

“I didn’t play when I was there and I came away disappoint­ed and frustrated,” he said. “I went there and worked hard. I came back, things never went to plan in the derby, but I showed against Leicester what I can do. I know what football is like. Things can change very quickly, and that is what my mindset is now: working hard to eventually get my place back in the team for England.”

Barkley’s talent has been recognised by all his managers at club and internatio­nal level, but they have often been left frustrated by his struggles to perform consistent­ly on the biggest stage.

The player insisted it was not a confidence issue. “No, it’s not that,” he said. “It’s more if the team is playing well, I’ll play well. If we are struggling, it’s harder, if you know what I mean? We have been in good form, so it is easier to show what you are good at.”

Barkley admitted that the criticism he faced after the derby had stung. “No game means more to me, so afterwards I was disappoint­ed, as you would expect. It’s the most important game for a local lad, other than a semi-final or a final, it’s that type of game. Coming away with nothing afterwards is huge – it’s so disappoint­ing.”

‘My mindset now is working hard to eventually get my place back in the team for England’

 ?? Later in the evening Barkley went to Santa Chupitos cocktail bar, in Slater Street in Liverpool city centre. It was there he was subject to what was described by his lawyer as as an “unprovoked attack by a stranger” (right), with Merseyside Police launchi ??
Later in the evening Barkley went to Santa Chupitos cocktail bar, in Slater Street in Liverpool city centre. It was there he was subject to what was described by his lawyer as as an “unprovoked attack by a stranger” (right), with Merseyside Police launchi
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