'You won't see Stevie's type again'
Colin Pascoe has paid tribute to Steven Gerrard's Liverpool love affair and admitted we probably won't see loyalty of that kind again in modern-day football.
As the club captain prepares to end a magnificent 17-year association with Liverpool, the assistant manager was keen to offer his own thoughts to the remarkable Anfield career of a true hero.
Pascoe also refleced on the news Jordon Ibe and Jon Flanagan have signed new deals and compares the character of the young Scouse defender to that of a club legend.
Here is a full transcript of our exclusive chat at Melwood ahead of Sunday's season finale with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium:
Colin, Sunday will be Steven Gerrard's last game for Liverpool Football Club, what's it been like working with him for the best part of three years?
It's been an honour, it's been a privilege and he is a good friend as well. We've had fun together and he's got a great, dry sense of humour.
What makes Steven who he is and what sets him apart from the rest?
Apart from being a world-class footballer and everything he has achieved, he always puts other people first. He never thinks of himself. He always make sure his teammates and everyone else around him is first.
How important is that influence off the field and in the dressing room?
It's very important. The way Stevie conducts himself off the field, he always prepares himself and his body for every training session. All of the young lads look up to him and, again, it's a tribute to himself the way he looks after himself.
It was great for the fans to show their appreciation for Steven last Saturday wasn't it? It was a real fitting send-off...
It was a fantastic send-off for Stevie with the Kop singing, and the whole ground was electric. It was a bit disappointing we couldn't get the result to send Stevie off with a win.
17 years in a red shirt - do you think we will ever see someone of the likes of Gerrard stay with one club for that long in modern-day football again?
The way football is and the modern footballer, I don't think you'll get too many players like Stevie. He has been so loyal to one club, so no, I don't think we'll see that again.
In other news this week, we saw Jordon Ibe and Jon Flanagan sign new deals with the club. What was your reaction to that?
Fantastic. They are two great young lads who are great prospects and it's fantastic they have signed their contracts.
How pleased have you been with Jordon since he came back from his loan spell at Derby County?
We are impressed with Jordon. We know how good he is and what he's got. That's the reason why he went to Derby and got the experience and got minutes under his belt. He's come back and he's working hard. With Jon he's been unlucky with his injuries. Last year he did terrific and his performances were fantastic in the team. We've missed him this season.
He has been a miss, especially with the kind of character he brings to the field...
Definitely, on and off the field, he's a [Jamie] Carragher. The goal that he scored at Tottenham was great for himself and everyone could see how much he enjoyed it and how much the lads enjoyed it when they all jumped on him.
Going back to Jordon you mentioned how good he is at the moment, how good do you think he can go on to become?
He's a young lad who is working hard in training. He wants to do really, really well and the sky's the limit.
We end the season at Stoke City on Sunday. There's still a Europa League place up for grabs so how important is it we sign off with a win?
It's very important. It's important that we secure fifth spot, that's the most important thing, and again to give Stevie a good send-off and make sure we get the win.
What have you made of Stoke this season and what's the key to winning at the Britannia?
They are a physical side but they do pass the ball around. It's about the way we play and it will be very important to match them, especially with the physicality. We need to get on the ball and show plenty of movement on and off it.
Once that game is done and dusted how quickly will yourself, Brendan and the other staff look ahead to next season?
You are always constantly looking ahead for next season. You always look ahead.