Steven Gerrard expecting emotional final match at Anfield on Saturday

Steven Gerrard will bid farewell to Anfield on Saturday night

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard expects his final game at Anfield on Saturday to be an emotional affair.

The former England midfielder will bid farewell to the ground where he has played for 17 years when Liverpool host Crystal Palace on Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1.

And speaking to Sky Sports, Gerrard said he can't promise not to shed a tear after being teased by former Reds team-mate Jamie Carragher that he will break down and cry.

"I'm not like him, I'm not made of stone," he said. "I'm not macho like Jamie.

"We'll have to wait and see. I'm not usually one that sheds tears when I'm emotional, I usually keep it in, but we'll have to wait and see. There's no shame in shedding a tear I don't think.

"I'm really looking forward to the game. I want to win the game. I want to win my last game at Anfield. It will be a bonus if I can get on the score-sheet.

"But once the game finishes and I say goodbye to the fans that are here - and I know it's being televised so it's a good chance for me to say goodbye to the fans worldwide as well - it will be emotional, not just for me, for my family.

"I'm sure there will be a few supporters that are emotional too. After 17 years that's just the way it's going to be."

Gerrard admitted it might take some time for him to get used to the idea that he won't play a competitive game at Anfield again.

"On Sunday, I'll be hungover probably, without going out drinking. I'll have that low feeling, be a little bit depressed knowing that I'm not going to play here again in a competitive game.

"I've loved playing here, I've loved every minute of my career. I'm proud of what I've done. I'll have a smile on my face but I think there'll be a part of me that's sad and a little bit down that it's all over here at Anfield."

Next up for Gerrard is a move to the MLS, where he will play for the LA Galaxy and he's looking forward to finishing his career away from the Premier League spotlight.

"It's a great challenge. It's a good time," he added.

"I'm coming up to my 35th birthday, it's a good chance for me to enjoy a couple of years of my life with less pressure, spend more time with my family.

"But I'm still in good condition, I still enjoy my football and I can still start football matches and compete for some trophies in the States."

The only major club honour missing from Gerrard's CV is a Premier League winner's medal and he admits last season's slip against Chelsea, which saw Demba Ba race through and score in a vital 2-0 victory for the Blues, still haunts him as the greatest regret of his career.

"When I finish in a couple of weeks and reflect that is certainly going to be the lowest point of my career," he said.

"You win or lose the league over a 38-game period, but I'm not stupid and I do realise that that moment was big. But I will always take full responsibility and take it on the chin - that's what I've tried to do.

"I think over a 17-year period I have shown what I am about here and I think the fans respect me for the 17 years rather than one moment."

Watch the full interview with Steven Gerrard throughout Thursday on Sky Sports News HQ and his final Anfield match against Crystal Palace on Saturday Night Football - coverage starts on Sky Sports at 5:00pm.

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Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard targets one last home win

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Ings not best value striker for Liverpool

Michy Batshuayi: A potential target for Liverpool?

With Liverpool reportedly closing in on Danny Ings, WhoScored take a look at five young strikers who could prove better value for money than the Burnley man.

It's been a strange season for Liverpool. For all of the criticism sent their way the Reds have been in the race for a Champions League berth until now, despite the fact that a goal on Steven Gerrard appreciation day from the man himself at Stamford Bridge saw the departing skipper jump to the outright lead in terms of the club's top goalscorers, with just 8.

Sunday's was also a game in which Chelsea's defenders, courtesy of John Terry's early opener, stretched their scoring advantage over Liverpool's strikers (9 to 7). For the Merseysiders, the presence of a fully fit and in form forward has been the one thing that has prevented them a place in Europe's elite club competition.

It's no surprise then that Liverpool have been linked with a number of big money signings to arrest their striking woes this season, with the likes of Benteke, Aubameyang and Icardi all apparent targets. However, in a week in which the Reds have seemingly moved a step closer to completing a deal for Burnley's Danny Ings, WhoScored.com take a look at a number of the young, affordable alternatives they could have targeted in Ings' stead.

We start our search in France, where Liverpool were active last summer in securing a deal for Lille's Divock Origi. The Belgian is set to return to Anfield this summer but after a quiet season in Ligue 1, netting just 4 of 8 goals from open play - and three in a single match - it's fair to say the fans' enthusiasm for his arrival has waned after an eye-catching World Cup campaign.

Elsewhere in the French top-flight, however, Origi's compatriot Michy Batshuayi has been making waves after a slow start to his Marseille career. With Bielsa's side now in real danger of missing out on a Champions League place next season, their prized assets could yet be stripped, and while he only signed for l'OM from Standard Liege last summer Batshuayi is among those sure to be attracting interest.

In just 872 minutes of league action this season Belgium's 21-year old international has scored an impressive 9 goals. Of all players to score more than 5 times in Ligue 1 no one has scored more often (every 96.8 minutes), while of the same group of players only two have a better conversion rate (25.7%). With an impressive first touch and ability to use his body to hold off opponents in and around the box, in addition to his obvious prowess in front of goal, Batshuayi's stay in Marseille could yet be a brief one.

Eslewhere in Ligue 1 there have been two more youngsters to really come to the fore since the turn of the year, with Monaco teenager Anthony Martial and Bordeaux's Diego Rolan netting 8 times in 2015 alone. The former, like Batshuayi, has had to make do with a place on the bench for much of the campaign but is now getting regular action from the start as Leonardo Jardim's side have moved up to third.

Martial has 9 league goals to his name in total, with 7 of those - along with 3 assists - coming in just 14 starts in a centre forward position in Ligue 1. In said appearances his WhoScored.com rating is up at an impressive 7.34 and his efforts have already warranted statistical strengths when it comes to finishing, dribbling and key passes.

A compatriot of former Liverpool favourite Luis Suarez, Diego Rolan is one of a number of exciting young prospects to continue to emerge from Uruguay. Only recently turning 22, the Bordeaux forward has 13 league goals to his name in what has been a breakthrough season for the South American. He too has an excellent conversion rate (19.7%) and is deemed very strong at finishing according to WhoScored.com in turn.

Moving away from Ligue 1 and into the Bundesliga, Frankfurt's Haris Seferovic has had a decent first season in Germany since a move from Real Sociedad, forging a successful strike partnership with the league's top scorer Alexander Meier. The Switzerland international only has 9 goals to his name in comparison to the veteran's 19 but with 5 assists the 23-year old is happy to do the much of the running to get the best out of his teammate.

Seferovic will often pull into wide positions and is capable of beating an opponent, with 1.3 dribbles per game, and laying on chances for teammates, with 1.1 key passes on average. His finishing can be a little suspect at times but hard graft goes a long way and he is still very young. He may not be the goal-getter Liverpool crave but the Swiss is capable of getting goals out of his striking counterparts and would unlikely cost the earth.

Just to throw in somewhat of a wildcard option, there will have been plenty of Premier League interest in Benik Afobe throughout this season. To suggest Liverpool would attempt to swoop for a player the fans would likely label an 'Arsenal reject' may seem a stretch but the 22-year old has been in sensational form, both on loan at MK Dons and since a permanent switch to Wolves - who narrowly missed out on a play-off place.

Across 43 appearances in League One and the Championship - of which 31 have been starts - Afobe has 23 goals, as well as 9 strikes in the cup for the Dons. Since moving to Molineux he has also weighed in with 5 assists for a superb WhoScored.com rating of 7.45, and has all the physical attributes needed to compete in the top-flight.

If Liverpool's capture of Ings is secured it may well prove to be shrewd business. The England youth international netted his 10th league goal at the weekend and has gained invaluable Premier League experience after all. If a move were to fall through, however, alternatives may not necessarily be in short supply as the Reds aim to make up what is now a 51-goal gap from last season next time around.

Martin Laurence

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings. You can follow all the scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with their new free-to-download app

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Steven Gerrard farewell tickets are in demand

Steven Gerrard: Final Anfield game this weekend

Tickets for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's farewell game at Anfield against Crystal Palace on Saturday are being sold for more than £1,200.

The price of tickets for the Reds' home clash with Palace ranged from £179.01 to £1,258.63 on secondary ticketing websites by Tuesday evening.

Skipper Gerrard will bring the curtain down on his 17-year career with Liverpool at the end of the season ahead of a move to Major League Soccer with Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Palace game is classed as a 'Category C' fixture and adult tickets would normally cost between £37 and £49.

Gerrard is set to play his final game for Liverpool away to Stoke the following weekend.

You can watch Steven Gerrard's Anfield farewell from 4.45pm on SNF on Sky Sports 1 on Saturday

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Steven Gerrard says he needed to leave Liverpool for MLS to play games

Steven Gerrard decided to leave Liverpool for the MLS because appearing as a substitute was not as exciting as starting for Liverpool.

Gerrard explained the buzz changed this season with him being restricted to a substitute role.

He retired from England international duty last July in order to extend his lifespan at club level but early in the season, he discovered he would no longer be a regular starter under manager Brendan Rodgers.

That proved to be a major factor in him not signing a contract extension and opting to sign for Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the campaign.

"I'm going to come on as a sub and the buzz changes," said Gerrard, who will celebrate his 35th birthday at the end of this month.

"For me, I go to work on a Monday morning and I look forward to Saturday, to prepare to go to battle with some wonderful people - with good mates – and that's my buzz.

"When a manager gets you into the office and says that's going to change and it's going to become more limited - that's when you make your decision.

"It's not a selfish thing; coming on as a sub's just not the same buzz so things have changed this year."

Gerrard, who has carried the burden of leading Liverpool over the last decade, recently spoke of how he is looking forward to not having as much pressure on his shoulders in Major League Soccer.

"It lets you give a little back to your family," he added.

"You step out of the city, you breathe for a bit, you enjoy your kids and you go to a place where you are going to enjoy it. I think the league's going to be good, I can still start games and I can still enjoy it."

Watch Liverpool v Crystal Palace from 5pm on Saturday on Sky Sports 1 HD

Steven Gerrard was at a Liverpool legends' gala awards dinner helping to raise money for local charities - including the Oppo Foundation which supports ex-military personnel.

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Aspas: Sevilla deal a formality

Iago Aspas (c): Joined Sevilla permanently

Sevilla's on-loan Liverpool forward Iago Aspas has confirmed his move back to Spain will be made permanent this summer.

After one disappointing campaign at Anfield, playing a back-up role behind Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge and scoring just one goal, the player was sent out on loan.

Aspas has scored twice in 15 league matches this season but claims Sevilla will go through with the transfer.

"I came here on a loan deal with an obligatory option to buy," the former Celta Vigo player told ESPNFC.

"I am a Sevilla player for next season. I will sit down and talk to the club in the coming days, or when the season ends, but it is an open secret that everyone knew.

"The transfer [fee] is to be paid this summer. I am very happy at Sevilla, they received me with open arms, and I hope to keep paying them back for many years.

"I did not have the playing time (with Liverpool) that I wanted which is why I made the move here to Sevilla.

"I am going to stay here for some years at Sevilla but I do have unfinished business as I felt I could bring much more things to the team, if I had been given more playing time.

"I think that if I'd been at Liverpool this year I would have played a lot more games, with Sturridge's injury and Suarez not being there."

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Liverpool's Champions League failure will see Raheem Sterling quit, says Phil Thompson

Raheem Sterling: In talks over new Liverpool deal

Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson believes Brendan Rodgers’ side’s failure to qualify for the Champions League will see Raheem Sterling quit Anfield this summer.

Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at champions Chelsea all but ended their chances of qualification for next season’s Champions League and Thompson believes failure to qualify will prompt Sterling to leave.

And he insists he doesn’t see the 20-year-old’s future as a striker no matter where he ends up.

He told Sky Sports: “I think it will be very difficult for him to stay at Liverpool now. He’s shown all the signs that he’s ready and prepared to leave the club.

“But if he was to stay I would like to think his role will be on the flanks – I don’t think Liverpool can even contemplate him being their main striker next season, because he’s not a natural goalscorer.

“Liverpool need somebody who’s going to get you at least 15 league goals and maybe 25 overall – Raheem Sterling is not going to get you that.

“He’s done well for the team – he’s helped them out up front this season, but I think everyone can see that he’s not quite strong enough for it.

“So, no matter where he is next season, I think his best role is out wide rather than through the middle.”

Meanwhile, Thompson believes the difference in squad depth between Liverpool and champions Chelsea was clearly evident during Sunday’s draw at Stamford Bridge.

The Reds needed to win in order to cling on to their hopes of finishing in the top four in the Premier League, but they could only manage a point.

Although Liverpool were competitive throughout the game, the gap between the pair remains 22 points, and Thommo highlighted Rodgers’ substitutions when trying to win the game.

He said: “Liverpool had Jerome Sinclair coming off the bench and also Jordon Ibe - who I think can be just as good as Raheem Sterling in that wide role - but it still showed the gulf in quality between the squads.

“Both of those lads are under 20, yet Chelsea had Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic and Juan Cuadrado coming on for them – three established internationals.

“I think part of the substitutions was maybe Brendan saying ‘look, this is all I’ve got to work with here’, although it is nice to have youngsters coming through the ranks at the club again.

“But, at the end of the day, it’s two young lads coming off the bench at Stamford Bridge, the home of the champions, and it was never going to be enough to beat them.

“The experience that Chelsea had on their bench compared to ours highlights the big difference between the two squads.”

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