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• No further action after incident on 8 January in Yarm
• England winger was visiting friends and family on Teesside

Stewart Downing will not face charges relating to the Liverpool player’s arrest last month on suspicion of assault, police have said.

The 27-year-old England winger was held for questioning following an alleged incident at the Cross Keys pub in Yarm, Teesside, at around 1am on 8 January.

A 32-year-old woman also arrested at the time on suspicion of assault remains on police bail.

A Cleveland police spokeswoman said: “A 27-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assault following an alleged incident at a pub on Yarm High Street has been released without charge.

“A 32-year-old woman who was also arrested on suspicion of assault remains on bail pending further inquiries. Inquiries are ongoing.”

Downing played for his hometown club, Middlesbrough, before moving to Aston Villa and then Liverpool in the summer of 2011. He was believed to be visiting friends and family on Teesside at the time of the incident.

Liverpool
guardian.co.uk

• Luis Suárez likely to play at Old Trafford after ban
• Only 2,100 away tickets after ‘detailed risk assessment’

Liverpool’s ticket allocation for the Premier League trip to Manchester United on 11 February has been slashed by almost a third. Luis Suárez, banned for eight matches after being found guilty of racially abusing the United defender Patrice Evra, is likely to make his first appearance away from Anfield at Old Trafford since his suspension.

Liverpool’s Uruguay striker is certain to receive a hostile reception but there will be 1,000 fewer Reds fans – only 2,100 – inside Old Trafford to see it.

“The safety of all fans is paramount and a detailed risk assessment of the match carried out by Manchester United and agreed by their Safety Advisory Group which includes Greater Manchester police and Trafford council has resulted in Liverpool receiving a reduced allocation for this specific game,” said a statement on Liverpool’s website. “This

Kenny Dalglish’s containment and counterattack philosophy works to perfection to land a knockout blow

Charles Reep, Charles Hughes and Graham Taylor, advocates of the more direct route, using fewer passes to reach the opposition’s goal, would have allowed themselves a wry smile at Liverpool’s winner: Pepe Reina, Andy Carroll, Dirk Kuyt, goal. Manchester United dominated possession but Liverpool cleverly dropped off and protected the width of their penalty area more than adequately.

Often the statement is trotted out that the better team lost. But what is the better team? And is it of any consequence? This game was a perfect illustration that controlled possession is not necessarily a recipe for success, unless that superiority is translated into chances and goals. Liverpool deserve credit for a clear plan and philosophy and making substitutions at the right time.

Jamie Carragher, Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard backed off Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who bossed the midfield area. With their sharp touches and movement, they enjoyed much more of the ball. Liverpool’s midfield dropped off, avoiding the trap of playing too high and allowing Scholes and Giggs to play around and beyond them.

Liverpool did not overly attempt to destroy their passing rhythm, their discipline ensuring they defended solidly and played on the break. When Daniel Agger leapt highest to give Liverpool the lead in the first half with David de