Stevie: Others must take up mantle
Steven Gerrard has urged his teammates to pick up the baton when he departs Liverpool this summer and help drive the club on toward a bright future.
The skipper has been at his inspirational best in recent weeks, having followed up a winning goal in a 2-1 success against Queens Park Rangers by earning the Reds a point away to Chelsea with another headed strike.
Though obviously welcome, Gerrard's contributions in those games have been tinged with sadness given that supporters know they do not have long left to relish his brilliance.
The 34-year-old is set to head for LA Galaxy at the end of the season, bringing his trophy-laden 17-year spell in the first team at Anfield to a close.
But Gerrard insists it is time for others to step up and ensure they too go down as legends at the club.
"The supporters are the most important people but the players have got a responsibility to do the work on the pitch, try and win trophies and create a history," he said, speaking at the Former Players Association's annual awards dinner.
"It's been my job for the last 17 years and now it's coming to an end for me, but you move it on to the next generation, the young lads and the other lads I'm going to leave behind.
"That's what it's all about, the club. You come in and do your best, give everything you've got every single day and then it's someone else's responsibility."
Gerrard joined Liverpool's Academy as a nine-year-old before progressing through the ranks to the first team and eventually becoming a multiple medal-winning captain.
He says it has been an honour to play for the Reds throughout a memorable career.
"I've said on record over the past four or five months that it's been an absolute privilege to represent the club," he continued.
"I grew up as a young boy on a council estate with a dream of playing for the club and I did everything I could, practiced as much as I could, to make my debut and get as close as I could to that first team.
"I've been part of it for 17 years now and I've enjoyed the majority of it.
"I've had some lows in there but I've had some incredible highs as well and I'm really proud of what I've achieved."