Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has been formally declared not guilty of assault after the case collapsed in court.

The 18-year-old was charged with common assault in August following allegations of an altercation with girlfriend Shana Halliday.

After entering a plea of not guilty last month, the teen began his trial at Liverpool Magistrates' Court today, where it was alleged that the couple had an argument over a text message following a meal in Manchester on August 8.

Sterling was cleared of the charge when the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew its case due to magistrates refusing to treat Miss Halliday as a hostile witness.