Balotelli, Sterling & Sturridge Among Players To Pay Tribute To Departing Gerrard

Liverpool players have been paying tribute to captain Steven Gerrard after the midfielder announced he will leave Anfield at the end of the season.

Gerrard is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and speculation over his long-term future has been rife in recent months.

However, the 34-year-old released a statement on Liverpoolfc.com this morning confirming his decision to call-time on his illustrious career at Anfield, with the skipper set to leave when his deal expires at the end of June.

The midfielder joined Liverpool’s youth system aged eight and has gone on to make almost 700 appearances for the Reds, scoring 180 goals in all competitions, and has lifted 10 major trophies including the Champions League in 2005.

Gerrard isn’t retiring, but he’s confirmed that he won’t join a club that will stand any chance of competing against Liverpool, which suggests he’s likely to head to the United States with MLS outfit LA Galaxy rumoured to be interested.

With such an influential figure set to leave the club, it’s no surprise that many of the current Liverpool squad having been paying tribute to the midfielder, with Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli and Philippe Coutinho among those who’ve had their say on the Liverpool legend.

Here’s what the players have said about Gerrard on the clubs website:

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.”

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.”

Jon Flanagan: “Steven Gerrard was my hero growing up so to run out and play with him has been a dream come true. He is still my hero now.”

Kolo Toure: “Steven is a man for great days. He makes the magic when no-one can make it and that is why he is one of the best players in the world.”

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.”

Glen Johnson: “Steven has been a fantastic player for many years and what he has done for Liverpool Football Club is just huge.”

Jose Enrique: “The quality of his passes, his crosses, and the free-kicks is amazing. At 50 years of age he will still be doing the same thing. He will always have that and his quality is amazing.”

Joe Allen: “He is an iconic figure, an inspiration. Having the chance to play alongside someone like Steven Gerrard is inspiriing. He’s our leader, he’s our captain. When you see him play and you’re playing alongside him, it helps to lift you that extra little bit.”

Fabio Borini: “Steven Gerrard is one of the greatest players I have ever played with. What he has achieved at this club is beyond words.”

Javier Manquillo: “The first time I watch Gerrard play, I was only a child. Now I play in the same team with him, he’s truly a great player and it’s a dream come true to share the field with him.”

Lazar Markovic: “When we say Liverpool, most of us think of Steven Gerrard and that’s not only the case with us who were born in the nineties. He is a legend, an icon, the king of the club.”

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.”

Alberto Moreno: “I dont have words for Stevie: he’s a great footballer and a special person, not just here but at a world level. Steven Gerrard is a great player. I am proud to be playing with him.”

Jordan Rossiter: ” I know myself that if I go on to have half or even just a bit of the career Stevie’s had, I’ll have had a great career in football.”

Mamadou Sakho: “The player that always impresses at Liverpool is Mr Gerrard. He’s a respectful man, calm, serene, with a foot like clockwork. He puts the ball exactly where he wants. He’s an exceptional person on and off the pitch.”

Martin Skrtel: “Stevie is special.”