Mellor: Stevie deserves it
Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor believes Steven Gerrard is fully deserving of his testimonial this summer - and claims it was an honour to play alongside the Reds skipper during his time at Anfield.
Gerrard's service to the club will be honoured at Anfield on Saturday, August 3 when Liverpool come up against Olympiacos, with all money raised going towards charity.
It's an occasion that is sure to bring back fantastic memories of the 3-1 victory over the Greek side in the 2004-05 season as the Reds marched towards Istanbul and victory in the Champions League final.
"It was an honour for myself to play with him because, unquestionably, he will go down as one of Liverpool's greatest ever players," Mellor told TalkSPORT.
"He is an inspirational character to be around in the changing rooms and on the football pitch. I'm just delighted to still see him at Liverpool at 32 years old and I still feel that there are some good times ahead and that he will play a lot longer.
"I think testimonials are quite unusual these days, really, but you can't question Steven Gerrard's loyalty. He has been absolutely superb over the years at Liverpool and he fully deserves this testimonial.
"He has won every trophy bar the Premier League and has scored in every one of those finals. He has an astonishing record of turning up when it really matters."
Mellor also played a key role on that famous night against Olympiacos in December 2004.
After scoring Liverpool's crucial second, it was his cushioned header that teed up Gerrard for his dramatic late volley that secured progress into the next stage of the tournament.
He added: "I have superb memories of that night in 2004 against Olympiacos at Anfield. It doesn't seem that long ago really but I certainly have fantastic memories.
"I've had stick in the past over the cushioned header because the commentary made it out to be a crucial part because it set up Gerrard's goal.
"I was due my hair cut that day and I never had it done. I think because it was so long that it just cushioned it down nicely for Stevie. I saw him in the space and played it into him but what he did after was quite incredible and the importance of it because of the run to Istanbul, and to win the European Cup when we were not fancied at all, was fantastic."