Gangster who saved Steven Gerrard from underworld thug shot dead in Merseyside

Gunman described as 6ft tall, wearing a high-vis jacket and riding a mountain bike

John Kinsella is believed to have been walking his dog when he was shot (Merseyside Police)

A “gangland fixer” who once stopped a notorious drug dealer from terrorising footballer Steven Gerrard was gunned down near a motorway slip road.

John Kinsella, 53, was pronounced dead shortly after emergency services were called to the scene in woodland near the St Helens Linkway in Rainhill Stoops on Saturday morning.

Merseyside Police said the gunman was riding a mountain bike next to a slip road off the M62 in Merseyside.

He was described as 6ft tall, of slim build and wearing dark clothing underneath a high-vis jacket.

Kinsella’s connection to Gerrard, who was recently appointed as Rangers manager, emerged during his trial for a £41,000 robbery in 2008.

The martial arts expert claimed the footballer’s family asked him for help dealing with George Bromley Jnr, nicknamed “The Psycho”.

Mr Gerrard’s father Paul confirmed in a letter that Bromley tried to extort money from his son and threatened to “maim” him over a two-year period.

He said that they had “total respect” for Kinsella for successfully sorting out the problem. Kinsella was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.

Less than 24 hours after Saturday’s shooting a 20-year-old man was stabbed to death during a night out in Liverpool city centre.

The victim was found injured in Hanover Street at around 4am and the area was closed off by police.

Detective Superintendent Lee Turner said: “Knife crime will not be tolerated in Merseyside and those caught carrying a weapon will be brought to justice.

“Carrying or using any dangerous weapon does not offer protection and in fact often puts you and those around you at more risk. These weapons can have severe consequences and we will not stand for this criminal behaviour.”