The footage is grim.
Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is engaged in a conversation with another, as yet unidentified, man in a bar in Liverpool on Sunday night.
Then, out of nowhere, the blows arrive.
Two strikes send the Everton midfielder to the floor before his friends see what is happening and drag him away.
https://twitter.com/ThatHeavyKid/status/851355597043879937
Barkley’s lawyers have now issued a brief statement to say that the attack was unprovoked and that the perpetrator was not previously known to the Everton man.
“We can confirm that Ross was the victim of an unprovoked attack by a stranger who approached him on Sunday evening,” the statement read.
Merseyside Police have also issued a statement to say that they are aware of the footage and are making enquiries but, as yet, no report of an assault has been lodged.
“Merseyside Police is aware of footage online reportedly showing an assault in a bar in Liverpool city centre. No report of an assault has been received but officers are making enquiries to establish the circumstances of the incident.”
Barkley trained as normal with Everton on Monday and suffered no injuries in the incident.
