GERRARD JNR ARRIVES

England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard became a father on Monday night when his partner gave birth to a baby girl.

The 23-year-old, from Whiston, Liverpool, missed last Wednesday's England friendly against Portugal so he could be with his 21-year-old partner Alex Curran.

Their daughter, Lilly-Ella, was delivered at a Liverpool hospital weighing 7lb 1oz, said a spokesman for the player.

Gerrard said: "We are both absolutely delighted and I am pleased to say both mum and baby are in perfect health and doing very well. We are both overwhelmed."

Having come up through the Liverpool ranks from being a trainee, Gerrard, who has 21 international caps, signed a four-year contract last November reportedly earning £60,000 a week.

Echo