Merseyside police have confirmed that two men have been arrested for punching Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton outside a nightclub in Liverpool.

It has been announced that the authorities were called to deal with a disturbance outside Garlands nightclub in the North West city in the early hours of Monday morning, where Barton was found with injuries sustained to his face.

Two men aged 21 were arrested at the scene for a public order offence and it is understood that the former Newcastle United midfielder left the area voluntarily.

The 29-year-old's future at Loftus Road has been under question in recent weeks after the midfielder was handed a 12-match ban after being found guilty of violent conduct.

The former Championship club are currently carrying out an internal investigation regarding Barton's sanction.