Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been served legal papers following an altercation in the street near his home in Formby in August.
Paperwork submitted at London's High Court named the England international, his wife Alex and close friend Lee McPartland as defendants in the civil case launched by a man by the name of Paul Alan Lloyd.
The 33-year-old England midfielder was said to have been attacked after getting out of his Range Rover outside a convenience store in the village where he lives with his wife and three daughters, aged nine, seven and two.
According to The Mirror, Lloyd is seeking damages in relation to the incident and has hired legal firm Mishcon de Reya to represent him.
It is feared that the upcoming court case could interrupt Gerrard's preparations ahead of next summer's World Cup in Brazil.