Thommo: How sheer dedication made Steven
Phil Thompson admits he could not have predicted the heights that the youngster stood next to him would scale, when he waited on the touchline alongside Steven Gerrard ahead of his 1998 Liverpool debut.
Thompson offered the 18-year-old a reassuring pat on the head as Gerrard stood steely-eyed and determined, if a little nervous, before striding towards the pitch ready to bring a dream to fruition and play his first minutes for the senior side.
In the years that followed, Gerrard, quite often purely of his own volition, made so many Kopites' dreams come true as he racked up 695 games, 180 goals, 10 trophies and too many special memories to recount in full here.
Thompson, who watched each of them unfold with pride, felt a sense of emotion this morning when he received news that the captain will be leaving the Reds, after a glittering 17-year stay, when the current campaign concludes in May.
However, Thommo, who shares the distinction with Gerrard of being one of only four players to have lifted the European Cup in Liverpool red, insists today is a day to acknowledge the Huyton-born midfielder's phenomenal achievements.
"It's very easy for me to sit here and say I could see it was all going to happen and that he was always going to be a superstar," Thompson told Liverpoolfc.com.
"Yes, he was a very good player - but it's all down to him and how much he really wanted it. He had everything in him to be a good player. But with young players these days, there's so many obstacles in the way.
"Steven had a lot of injury problems in his early career, which could have stopped him from going on to what he wanted to do. Yes, he was a good player. But, my goodness, he has been an absolute stalwart for the club."
He added: "It's sad news. It's similar to when Jamie [Carragher] decided to go. It's a local lad hanging up his boots. It was a sad moment this morning. I wondered what was going on.
"I'd gone to sleep very early after the match last night. I woke up and my phone was boiling hot, I hadn't realised what had gone on."
The club confirmed in the statement that its captain will continue to play football after his last outing in red this summer - but that Gerrard will not contemplate joining a team where he would be forced to line up against his beloved Liverpool.
"Whichever club [Gerrard goes to] will be a lucky, lucky club, because he's a wonderful young man," said Thompson. "It's been a pleasure watching him play for Liverpool, watching his upbringing and his coming on to lead us to absolutely wonderful things."