Former Liverpool and England footballer Jamie Carragher is facing a bankruptcy petition from HM Revenue and Customs over an alleged unpaid tax bill of between £700,000 and £800,000. His representatives say it is a private matter that should have been resolved earlier and that steps are now being taken to settle it, with the case expected to be resolved imminently.

The petition against Carragher, whose full name is James Lee Duncan Carragher, was filed on Wednesday and reportedly first revealed by City AM. HMRC said it only seeks bankruptcy as a last resort after offering support such as instalment plans; Carragher joins several former footballers who have faced serious tax and financial difficulties after retirement.