West Ham on brink of signing Stewart Downing from Liverpool after fresh talks Sterling appeared in court on Friday having been arrested for a Section 39 common assault following a domestic incident the previous evening. The winger pleaded not guilty to the assault on his partner, 19-year-old Shana Halliday, when he attended Liverpool Magistrates Court. Sterling explained the circumstances surrounding the incident to his manager Brendan Rodgers prior to Liverpool leaving for the Republic of Ireland and it was decided he should remain in the travelling party. Earlier this week, the youngster was named in Roy Hodgson's England Under-21 squad for the fixture with Scotland. Liverpool have also welcomed Daniel Sturridge to their squad for the first time since he suffered an ankle ligament injury on international duty last May. Rodgers, meanwhile, has announced Daniel Agger is Liverpool's new vice-captain, replacing the retired Jamie Carragher. Although it is not a particularly significant announcement, given the speculation regarding Agger's future in the light of Barcelona's interest it is further confirmation that the Dane is committed to staying on Merseyside.