Stevie: I can't thank supporters enough
On a day when it felt like the entire football world was offering their gratitude to Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain chose to send his own personal thanks to the club's supporters.
Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace will take a poignant place in the history books as the inspirational No.8's final Anfield appearance, some 17 years on from his first.
It was an occasion that the midfielder and his adoring fans had been preparing for since January, when Gerrard announced his intention to join LA Galaxy in America this summer.
Yet still few could contain their emotion after the final whistle yesterday, as the skipper took centre stage to receive much-deserved appreciation from the stands.
"I've been preparing myself for five months for this and I'm trying my best to hold it together," he told Liverpoolfc.com on the pitch.
"What the fans have done for me today, added to the 17 years, I've ran out of words to describe them.
"My heart is pumping now just like it did the very first time I ran out. I love this football club - I love the players and the staff.
"I've loved every minute of it; it has gone so quick and I'm absolutely devastated that I'm not going to be back here with a football kit on. I can't thank them enough."
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A capacity Anfield crowd flocked to the stadium in the hope of watching Gerrard smash home one more goal, leading his team to victory as he had so often in the past.
Palace had no intention of rolling over, though, and recovered from Adam Lallana's opener to stun Brendan Rodgers' charges with a 3-1 result.
Frustration with the outcome was clear in Gerrard, but he should have no concerns regarding the legacy and lasting memories he leaves Kopites with.
"I've got a couple of years to reflect on the last 17 years," he said.
"I've tried to give them everything I've got; I wanted to give them one last memory today but it just didn't come.
"But I'm proud of what I've done and I just hope that they've all got memories to remember me by."