Team-mates of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard have paid tribute to the departing captain, who will leave Liverpool at the end of the current season.
Gerrard, aged 34, will leave Anfield after 17 season’s at the club, it was confirmed last night, with his future still uncertain, a move to the United States being the favourite destination at the moment.
And his current Liverpool team-mates have paid tribute to the Champions League winner.
A selection of quotes can be read below:
Mario Balotelli: “Wow. I think of him as being at the same level as Pirlo. Vision, technique but he is powerful as well.
“Stevie can do anything, he’s an amazing player. It’s going to be very difficult for the team to find another player like him in the future.”
Daniel Sturridge: “Stevie will always be a legend – not just for Liverpool but to England as well.
“He will go down in history as one of the best midfielders in the game. He’s just unbelievable every day, a great leader and the perfect example for every young player around the country.”
Rickie Lambert: “Stevie is his own man but he is Mr Liverpool.
“He’s number one for me and I think he always will be. He has meant everything to me, growing up as a Liverpool fan.
“The nights he has given Liverpool fans are unbelievable – I’ll never forget them and I know the Liverpool fans will never forget them.”
Raheem Sterling: “He has been brilliant for me.
“He’s always looking after me, always checking to see if I’m all right. He’s an inspiration and a great captain.”
Jordan Henderson: “He is a top player but he is also a top person. The lads can go to him with anything and he will always help them out and put them first. That is massive as a captain. With the aura that he has got, he could be a different person but he is very humble.”
Simon Mignolet: “He has led by example throughout the years. He’s also a very good player and also, off the pitch, he supports every single individual in the dressing room.”
Emre Can: “I have learned a lot from him. Steven is the greatest captain Liverpool have ever had and I feel comfortable on the pitch because I know he is always behind me. I hope to be similar to Gerrard but it isn’t easy because he’s been so successful.”
Adam Lallana: “I grew up watching him. To my best mates he’s their legend. For me to be playing alongside him, not just for England but at club level, is quite surreal really.”
Lucas Leiva: “When you say the name Steven Gerrard you automatically think of LFC. He really is the symbol of the club. He is a player who has always valued the club too. I’ve never played with a player as complete as him.”
Philippe Coutinho: “I try to observe him in training, his playing style. He’ss phenomenal. It’s a pleasure for me to be playing alongside him.”
Dejan Lovren: “When you come to Liverpool, you look at someone like Steven and you realise very quickly what it means to play for this club. Steven is a fantastic player but he also has a massive personality and his influence on the dressing room is more than just being our captain.”
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
