Gerrard: Did Jamie borrow my boots?
After watching Jamie Carragher so nearly convert a goal right out of the Steven Gerrard scrapbook, the Liverpool skipper joked that the retiring defender must have borrowed his boots pre-match.
The captain, who was unavailable for Sunday's season finale against Queens Park Rangers following shoulder surgery, watched from the stands as Carragher brought the curtain down on a 17-year Anfield career.
A blistering Carragher half-volley from distance during the second half almost punctuated his final appearance perfectly - and caught his close friend by surprise.
"I think he lent my boots because I'm not playing; either my boots or one of the lads'," Gerrard told LFC TV as the players conducted their traditional end-of-season lap of honour.
"We haven't seen that for 20 years, have we? It would have been a fitting point for him to finish - he scored on his debut - and what an effort.
"His performance today from start to finish was rock-solid again, as it has been since January when he came back into the team. He's calling it a day, I'm sure he could go on for a couple more years, but he thinks the time is right and we all need to respect that.
"I certainly share the emotion with the supporters. The club have put a fantastic show on for Jamie today and the guard of honour was emotional because you know it's going to be the last time we'll ever see him perform.
"So it's a sad day but Jamie is walking back with a smile on his face. He has been a fantastic ambassador in playing for this club and it's going to be virtually impossible for the manager to replace him.
"It's going to be difficult for me because I sit next to him on the bus, he's the first person I look for in the dressing room. I'm quite close to Jamie both on and off the pitch.
"It will be strange, it will be tough at times but it happens to us all one day - it will be me in a few years calling it a day. We all just need to look back and enjoy the great memories he has given us."
Asked to reflect on the season as a whole - the Reds' first under Brendan Rodgers - Gerrard admitted there is work to do but insisted supporters should be optimistic for 2013-14.
[OTPA_WIDGET_CONTENT]
He added: "I think it has been a mixed bag; at times we have played some superb football, we've put in some fantastic performances both home and away.
"But I think we've struggled a little bit with consistency - at the beginning of the season the main target was top four and we haven't delivered that.
"So us players need to take responsibility for that, dust ourselves down and try to make amends next year. There are certainly big positives to take.
"The football in general that we've shown since January, I think we've shown Champions League form so I'm very optimistic for next season.
"It's down to us players to continue what we've done in the last couple of months, take that into next season and try to improve. Other teams are going to make signings, strengthen and improve - we need to make sure that we do as well."
Fans will certainly be boosted by the skipper's positive fitness report following recent surgery on a niggling shoulder problem.
"I'm very well - the operation was a success according to the surgeon," said Gerrard.
"The operation was straightforward; it was something I've been struggling with since January. It did need fixing. I just need to get my rehab in place over the summer and I'll be fine for next year."