Steven Gerrard bids final farewell to Anfield

The 34-year-old drops the curtains on an illustrious 17-year career with the Reds

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard told supporters he was “devastated” about leaving the club during a heartfelt on-pitch address after his final game at Anfield on Saturday.

Gerrard, 34, will join the Los Angeles Galaxy in July after almost 17 years at his home-town club and following a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace, he paid an emotional tribute to Liverpool’s fans.

“It felt very strange. I’ve been dreading this moment. I’m going to miss it so much,” said Gerrard. “Before I go, before the tears come, I’ve played in front of most supporters around the world, but let me tell you, you’re the best.”

Gerrard was joined on the pitch at the final whistle by his teammates, all of whom wore shirts with his name and squad number, eight, on the back, before going on a lap of honour.

Liverpool prepare for life after Gerrard

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers braced supporters for a close-season rebuilding process after long-serving captain Steven Gerrard played his final home game for the club.

Asked if it would be possible to replace Gerrard with one player, Rodgers told his post-match press conference: “I dont think there is that. He is a player and a person who is irreplaceable for the club. We’ll go forward at the end of the season and we’ll have to plot a way to improve in the summer. That’s our challenge.”

City into Champions League group stage

Manchester City assured themselves of direct entry into next season’s Champions League with a 4-2 win away to Swansea in Sunday’s early Premier League match.

The top three sides in England at the end of the season are assured of a place in the group stage of European football’s elite club competition, with the Premier League’s fourth-placed team having to enter a qualifying round instead.

Three goals came before half-time at the Liberty Stadium, with Yaya Toure, assisted by an error from Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianksi, and James Milner putting City 2-0 up before Gylfi Sigurdsson pulled a goal back for Swansea on the stroke of half-time.

French striker Bafetimbi Gomis equalised for the Swans midway through the second half before Toure, with Fabianksi out of position, made it 3-2 to City with a low shot from the edge of the box.

Former Swansea forward Wilfried Bony made it 4-2 in stoppage-time with only his second goal since he moved in the mid-season transfer window.

Meanwhile, in the remaining Premier League fixture of this week, West Bromwich Albion will host champions Chelsea at the Hawthorns on Monday. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th,  2015.

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