Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan charged with common assault after city centre incident

Flanagan, who was released by police on conditional bail, will appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court next week

John Flanagan in training for Liverpool (Getty)

Defender Jon Flanagan has been charged with common assault following an incident in Liverpool city centre.

The 24-year-old was arrested in the early hours of December 22 and, after being quizzed by police, later charged with Section 39 common assault.

Flanagan, who was released on conditional bail, will appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court next week.

The incident took place on Duke Street in the centre of Liverpool at around 3.20am, Merseyside Police confirmed.

A spokeswoman said: “Merseyside Police can confirm that Jonathan Patrick Flanagan, aged 24, from Cressington in Liverpool has been charged with Section 39 common assault following an incident on Duke Street in Liverpool city centre at around 3.20am on Friday, December 22.”

Liverpool have acknowledged the charge and responded with their own statement, which read: “The club has been made aware of an alleged incident involving a member of the first team playing squad. We will be making no further comment on the matter while the process is ongoing with the relevant authorities.”

Flanagan rose up through Liverpool's academy system and made his first-team appearance in the 2010/11 season.

His progress at Anfield has since been hampered by repeated injury struggles. Last season he made 10 appearances for Burnley during a loan spell at Turf Moor.