Suarez, Torres, Balotelli, Kaka, Henry and Del Piero pay tribute to Steven Gerrard

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, Orlando City’s Brazilian playmaker Kaka and Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry are among the greats from the world of football to have paid tribute to Steven Gerrard after he made his final Liverpool appearance at Anfield.

The talismanic captain bid an emotional farewell to the club where he has spent his entire career to date and made more than 700 first-team appearances.

Suarez, who left Anfield for Barcelona last summer, paid tribute to the departing captain, saying: "Thank you legend for all you made me live in Anfield and for all the joy you have given to the football world. Thank you my friend for everything. You are truly one of the greatest!"

Team-mate Daniel Sturridge, who was unable to be present at Gerrard’s farewell due to injury, took to Twitter to pay a personal tribute to his captain.

"The greatest player to ever wear a Liverpool shirt,” he said. “Wish I was there to share his last moments and season with the club.

“He's taught me a lot about football on and off the field and made me feel welcome at the club on my first day when I was nervous and had no idea what to expect.

“As the saying goes you don't know what you've got till it’s gone, but for me we already know what we'll miss.”

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry said: "What a day for #StevieG. Last game for @LFC at Anfield. What a career he has had for the club. Great player and top man #legend.”

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli added: "Steven Gerrard #legend #respect #icon YNWA.”

Former AC Milan midfielder Kaka, who stood toe-to-toe with Gerrard in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals, said: “There were 2 @uefachampionsleague finals against @stevengerrard, and a title for us each! Congratulations for your career at @liverpoolfc, see you soon in @mls.”

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero, who enjoyed a similar career-spanning spell with one club, said: "A fitting tribute for a real pro and true legend! Good luck Stevie #Gerrard.”

"Was an absolute pleasure to play alongside this legend. Former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey said. “He'll definitely be missed on these shores! Good luck in LA #legend.”

While fellow Merseysider, and current QPR midfielder, Joey Barton added: "Incredible send off for Stevie, thoroughly deserved. Will there ever be another who epitomises a club like he did? #Legend #SG8."

Journalist, and life-long Arsenal fan, Piers Morgan sarcastically tweeted: "He's no Vieira. #gerrard.”

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Suarez, Balotelli, Kaka, Henry and Del Piero pay tribute to Steven Gerrard

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, Orlando City’s Brazilian playmaker Kaka and Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry are among the greats from the world of football to have paid tribute to Steven Gerrard after he made his final Liverpool appearance at Anfield.

The talismanic captain bid an emotional farewell to the club where he has spent his entire career to date and made more than 700 first-team appearances.

Suarez, who left Anfield for Barcelona last summer, paid tribute to the departing captain, saying: "Thank you legend for all you made me live in Anfield and for all the joy you have given to the football world. Thank you my friend for everything. You are truly one of the greatest!"

Team-mate Daniel Sturridge, who was unable to be present at Gerrard’s farewell due to injury, took to Twitter to pay a personal tribute to his captain.

"The greatest player to ever wear a Liverpool shirt,” he said. “Wish I was there to share his last moments and season with the club.

“He's taught me a lot about football on and off the field and made me feel welcome at the club on my first day when I was nervous and had no idea what to expect.

“As the saying goes you don't know what you've got till it’s gone, but for me we already know what we'll miss.”

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry said: "What a day for #StevieG. Last game for @LFC at Anfield. What a career he has had for the club. Great player and top man #legend.”

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli added: "Steven Gerrard #legend #respect #icon YNWA.”

Former AC Milan midfielder Kaka, who stood toe-to-toe with Gerrard in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals, said: “There were 2 @uefachampionsleague finals against @stevengerrard, and a title for us each! Congratulations for your career at @liverpoolfc, see you soon in @mls.”

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero, who enjoyed a similar career-spanning spell with one club, said: "A fitting tribute for a real pro and true legend! Good luck Stevie #Gerrard.”

"Was an absolute pleasure to play alongside this legend. Former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey said. “He'll definitely be missed on these shores! Good luck in LA #legend.”

While fellow Merseysider, and current QPR midfielder, Joey Barton added: "Incredible send off for Stevie, thoroughly deserved. Will there ever be another who epitomises a club like he did? #Legend #SG8."

Journalist, and life-long Arsenal fan, Piers Morgan sarcastically tweeted: "He's no Vieira. #gerrard.”

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Brendan Rodgers insists nostalgia not to blame for Crystal Palace loss

Brendan Rodgers insisted Liverpool did not get caught up in the occasion of Steven Gerrard’s final game at Anfield and instead blamed defensive errors for their 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday Night Football.

Liverpool took the lead through Adam Lallana’s 26th-minute strike but then Palace wrestled control of the game and after they had equalised through Jason Puncheon’s free-kick just before the break, second-half goals from substitutes Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray sealed a deserved win.

Liverpool’s players and fans marked Gerrard's 18-year career at the club both before and after the game, but Rodgers was adamant it had not affected the team’s focus.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: “Initially, we are very disappointed. The crowd were brilliant today for Steven and the team. I thought they were magnificent. Even at 3-1 at the end there, the support they have given Steven and the team was incredible.

“But we didn’t do him justice today, or the supporters. We got the lead and deserved the lead at that point, but we defended very poorly today.

“Overall, our performance, in particular in the second half, was nowhere near what we expected. Individually, in certain situations, we defended very poorly. We weren’t aggressive enough and certainly not good enough in those moments.

“It wasn’t anything to do with the occasion or anything like that. We just didn’t defend well enough.”

Rodgers felt that Zaha was offside for Palace’s second goal and pointed out that the foul that led to the penalty from which Murray scored was outside of the box.

However, he acknowledged that Liverpool’s poor display emphasised the scale of the building work he has in front of him this summer.

“We are disappointed with two of the goals,” he added. “We felt that the cross was offside before Zaha gets a finish on it, and the penalty clearly is outside. It’s a poor decision.

“There is a big job to be done in the summer. There are areas that we need to improve on a lot if we are going to push on, but that is something we will assess. It’s not the time for it now, but certainly over the course of the summer we have work to do.”

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Steven Gerrard declares Liverpool fans 'the best' and backs Brendan Rodgers

An emotional Steven Gerrard described Liverpool fans as "the best in the world’ and, as he departed Anfield after playing his final home game, backed manager Brendan Rodgers.

After almost 17 years of service, 709 appearances, 185 goals and 10 trophies, the 34-year-old is heading Stateside to resume his career in MLS with LA Galaxy.

Despite his team’s 3-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace, which ended any lingering hopes of Liverpool qualifying for the Champions League, Gerrard took the time to thank all those who helped him during his stunning career - not least the Anfield faithful.

Speaking to the Anfield crowd, he said: “I’d like to thank everyone at the club who’ve helped me over the last 17 years.

“From top to bottom there’s no order and there’s too many people to name. I’d like to thank all my team-mates in the squad today, even the players that didn’t get on.

“All the ex-players I’ve played with over the years. They’ve made me the player I am today. But I have to save my last thank you to the most important people at any football club but these supporters stand out more than any of them.

“Just before I go, before the tears come I’ve played in front of most supporters around the world but let me tell you, you are the best.”

As for the team he leaves behind, Gerrard told Saturday Night Football: "The club’s in good hands. We’ve got two fantastic owners. We’ve got Ian (Ayre) underneath that and we’ve got a fantastic manager in Brendan.

"There’s unbelievable potential in the squad. I’m sure there will be some new signings in the coming weeks but I just look at the players in front of me, who I’ve shared a dressing room with for many years. I love them to death and wish them many successes in the future."

Reflecting on his final Premier League appearance at Anfield, he told supporters: “It felt very strange. I’ve been dreading this moment and the reason being is I’m going to miss it so much.

“I’ve loved every minute of it and I’m absolutely devastated I’m never going to play in front of these supporters again.

“The first time you ever play for Liverpool Football Club is a dream come true. Everything else after that was a bonus for me so the first time I ever played for Liverpool is an absolute dream.”

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Steven Gerrard says Liverpool fans are the best in the world

An emotional Steven Gerrard has described Liverpool fans as ‘the best in the world’ and, as he departed Anfield after playing his final home game for the Reds, he praised manager Brendan Rodgers saying 'the club is in good hands.’

The 34-year-old, who made more than 500 appearances for Liverpool, is now heading Stateside to resume his career in the MLS.

And despite the team’s 3-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace, which ended any lingering hopes of Liverpool qualifying for the Champions League, Gerrard took the time to thank all those who helped him during his stunning career.

Speaking to Sky’s Saturday Night Football team, he said: “I’d like to thank everyone at the club who’ve helped me over the last 17 years.

“From top to bottom there’s no order and there’s too many people to name. I’d like to thank all my team-mates in the squad today, even the players that didn’t get on.

“All the ex-players I’ve played with over the years. They’ve made me the player I am today. But I have to save my last thank you to the most important people at any football club but these supporters stand out more than any of them.

“Just before I go, before the tears come I’ve played in front of most supporters around the world but let me tell you, you are the best.”

As for the team he leaves behind, Gerrard added: "The club’s in good hands. We’ve got two fantastic owners. We’ve got Ian (Ayre) underneath that and we’ve got a fantastic manager in Brendan.

"There’s unbelievable potential in the squad. I’m sure there will be some new signings in the coming weeks but I just look at the players in front of me, who I’ve shared a dressing room with for many years. I love them to death and wish them many successes in the future."

Regarding the end of his time in a red Anfield shirt, he went on: “It felt very strange. I’ve been dreading this moment and the reason being is I’m going to miss it so much.

“I’ve loved every minute of it and I’m absolutely devastated I’m never going to play in front of these supporters again.

“The first time you ever play for Liverpool Football Club is a dream come true. Everything else after that was a bonus for me so the first time I ever played for Liverpool is an absolute dream.”

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Liverpool 1-3 Crystal Palace: Steven Gerrard's final game at Anfield ends in humbling defeat

Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace breaks away from Steven Gerrard and Alberto Moreno of Liverpool

Steven Gerrard’s final game for Liverpool at Anfield ended in defeat as Crystal Palace came from behind to seal a deserved 3-1 victory on Saturday Night Football.

Liverpool took the lead when Adam Lallana punished Martin Kelly’s mistake with a fine finish after 26 minutes, but Palace then took control of the game and equalised through the outstanding Jason Puncheon’s free-kick two minutes before the break.

The visitors then took the lead when substitute Wilfried Zaha bundled home in the 60th minute with his first touch just 23 seconds after coming on, and fellow substitute Glenn Murray wrapped up the victory by stroking home the rebound from his own saved penalty in injury time.

Driven on by a visibly motivated Gerrard, Liverpool applied heavy pressure in the last 15 minutes, but they were poor throughout and Palace fully warranted the three points.

The result sees Liverpool remain fifth and mathematically ends their chances of finishing in the top four, while Palace stay 12th but are now just two points off the top half.

Prior to kick-off, Gerrard emerged from the tunnel with his three daughters to a guard of honour from the two teams and rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone from the Liverpool fans.

The first 25 minutes passed without incident as the game took on the feel of a testimonial, but then the hosts were gifted the lead when former player Kelly misplaced a pass to central defensive partner Scott Dann and inadvertently played in Lallana, who finished well high into the top-left corner.

Palace had begun to show signs of improvement prior to the goal and they created four excellent chances to equalise in the next eight minutes. After Joe Ledley and Yannick Bolasie had blazed over from the edge of the box, Puncheon had a curling shot well saved by Simon Mignolet and then Chung-Yong Lee scooped over with a back-post volley following a corner.

The visitors were now well on top and they deservedly levelled when Emre Can scythed down the marauding Bolasie and Puncheon subsequently scored a set piece for the second Saturday in succession by sweeping the resulting free-kick across goal and into Mignolet’s bottom left-hand corner.

Liverpool’s back three was struggling to cope with Palace’s lively front trio of Puncheon, Marouane Chamakh and Bolasie, but Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers persisted with his 3-4-3 formation and Alan Pardew's side duly continued to benefit after the break.

Puncheon fired over within 60 seconds of the re-start and then the visitors had two penalties turned down in quick succession, both of which appeared to be valid claims,

Liverpool finally woke up just before the hour and went close with efforts from Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson, but Palace continued to push on and deservedly took the lead when Zaha scuffed home Bolasie’s low right-wing cross.

Bolasie almost made it 3-1 with left-foot shot from 15 yards after 66 minutes that cannonded off the crossbar, and although Henderson and Gerrard both saw shots fly wide as the hosts pushed for an equaliser, Murray's late goal did not flatter the impressive away team.

More to follow…

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Guard of honour, scarves and mosaic -Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says goodbye to Anfield

Steven Gerrard and his three daughters in front of the Kop with 'S8G' tribute

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was given a guard of honour ahead of his final Premier League match at Anfield.

The Reds midfielder, whose summer move to MLS side LA Galaxy ends an association with Liverpool that dates back to the start of his youth career in 1987, was saluted by his team-mates and Crystal Palace opponents on an emotional afternoon.

Gerrard, who named in the starting line-up by Brendan Rodgers, walked out of the tunnel with his family on his 354th appearance at the famous stadium.

Scarves, pin badges and masks bearing the captain's face were snapped up before kick-off by fans who chanted the midfielder's name as he took to the turf and then delivered a rousing version of 'You'll Never Walk Alone.'

The Kop united to create an 'S 8 G'  mosaic for Gerrard, while the Centenary Stand simply read: 'Captain.'

Writing in his programme notes, Gerrard - who broke off his warm-up to tell Sky Sports he would "try to get on the scoresheet" - said: "I've lived my life for Liverpool FC - it's been a privilege to captain our club."

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says goodbye to Anfield

Mosiac cards 'Captain' Steven Gerrard Anfield farewell Liverpool Crystal Palace

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has arrived for this afternoon's clash with Crystal Palace - his final game at Anfield.

The Reds midfielder, 34, has agreed to join MLS side LA Galaxy at the end of the current campaign - ending an association with Liverpool that dates back to the start of his youth career in 1987.

Gerrard's last home game will be his 354th at the famous stadium, and he will be greeted by a guard of honour before the game.

Gerrard has won two FA Cups, three League Cups and - most famously - a Champions League with Liverpool.

Supporters, players and managers alike have all expressed their admiration for the former England star in the lead-up to his penultimate game in a Liverpool shirt.

Watch the former England captain's farewell appearance in front of his adoring fans live on Sky Spors 1 from 5pm  

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