Stevie anticipating emotional farewell
Steven Gerrard admits Saturday's meeting with Crystal Palace will be an emotional day for him, his family and all Liverpool supporters.
After 17 years and 708 appearances, the skipper will run out at Anfield for the final time at the weekend as the Reds play their last home game of the season prior to his switch to Major League Soccer with LA Galaxy.
Although three Barclays Premier League points are at stake, the day is sure to be dominated by celebration of Gerrard's career with Liverpool.
But the 34-year-old says he wants to sign off in appropriate fashion, by ensuring his team get the win.
"It'll be strange, I'm sure it will," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"It'll be an emotional day for me and my family and friends that have followed me throughout my career. And also for a lot of supporters that have watched me for many, many years, not just at the stadium but around the world as well.
"I'm going to get the attention at the weekend, it's not something I really like, but hopefully I can put in a good performance for the supporters so we can get a win and I can enjoy the send-off that I'm going to get.
"It's going to be a difficult day but I'm going to try and enjoy it."
Gerrard also went on to reveal he is trying not to consider the enormity of leaving Liverpool yet, in case he lets his emotions get the better of him.
"I think at the moment where I am with a couple of games left to go I don't really want to think about it too much," he added.
"Everyone's talking about it but for me I just want to stay focused on the remaining games and the training and sessions ahead.
"There's plenty of time to be sentimental and emotional after the games are done but I don't really want to listen to supporters being emotional face to face because I'm a little bit afraid of breaking down and showing too much!"
On Monday evening, the captain attended the Former Players Association's annual awards ceremony, where he was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.
Gerrard says he is looking forward to mixing with such legends on a more regular basis when his career comes to a close.
"It'll feel strange but I'm sure I'll get used to it," he said.
"This day comes for every player at some stage. I'm 35 in the coming weeks and probably when I come back I'll be 37 years of age so I'll certainly feel like an ex player then.
"The body will be well and truly done by then so it will be strange but I'm looking forward to becoming an ex player and mixing with all the other legends and supporting the current group of players."