By Samuel Ekun
Gerrard joined Liverpool aged nine and has played 695 games in all competitions, scoring 180 goals.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says the word “legend” does not do Steven Gerrard justice after the midfielder confirmed he will leave the club.
Captain Gerrard, 34, whose contract expires this summer, is believed to be wanted by clubs in the United States.
“It is almost an impossible task to find the words to appropriately sum up Steven Gerrard,” said Rodgers.
“As a leader and as a man, he is probably incomparable to anyone I have ever worked with.”
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty:
“Steven Gerrard’s decision will leave a hole that manager Brendan Rodgers will find incredibly difficult to fill. Gerrard remains an iconic figure, a footballer who arguably competes with Kenny Dalglish for the title of the greatest ever to wear the red shirt.”
Read more from Phil McNulty
Gerrard joined Liverpool aged nine and has played 695 games in all competitions, scoring 180 goals.
In a statement, Gerrard called his decision to leave the club “the toughest” of his life, adding that he would continue playing – but not in the Premier League.
Rodgers added: “This is an era where the word ‘legend’ is vastly overused, but in his case it actually doesn’t do him justice.
“As a player he is immense and the influence he has on games should never be understated.
“At times he has carried this club on his back and in my time here he has always shown the ability that has rightly seen him be regarded as one of the world’s best for well over a decade.
“He is also someone who has always put the club and team ahead of himself and I think that will ultimately be his legacy.
“People better placed than me to judge have said Steven is Liverpool’s greatest ever player; when you look at the company he is in, that is some statement.”
Gerrard in numbers
695 – Club appearances (all competitions) 180 – Club goals (all competitions)
494 – Premier League appearances 116 – Premier League goals
114 – England caps 21 – England goals
10 – Main trophies won 8 – Appearances in PFA Team of the Year
3 – Appearances in FifPro World XI 6 – Premier League player of the month
Liverpool’s owners have told Gerrard that he will always have a place at club.
“There is sadness that such a great player and person is leaving and won’t be playing for Liverpool beyond this season,” said Liverpool owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner in a joint statement.
“But there is also a sense of celebration and gratitude, that we’ve all been privileged to watch and work with one of the true greats, not just of this club, but the game in general.
“His contribution to the club is almost beyond measure.”
Reaction from Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool team-mates
Striker Rickie Lambert: “Stevie is his own man but he is Mr Liverpool. He is number one for me and I think he always will be. He has meant everything to me growing up as a Liverpool fan.”
Defender Kolo Toure: “Steven is a man for great days. He makes the magic when no-one can make it.”
Striker Mario Balotelli: “I think of him as being at the same level as Pirlo. Vision, technique but he is powerful as well. Steven can do anything, he is an amazing player.”
Striker Daniel Sturridge: “Stevie will always be a legend, not just for Liverpool but to England as well. He will go down in history as one of the best midfielders in the game.
Winger Raheem Sterling: “He’s an inspiration and a great captain.”
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge told BBC Radio 5 live: “I always knew he was going to be a star. I’ve
been watching Liverpool for 50 years and he is the best player I have ever seen.
“Someone like Kenny Dalglish was different class but my logic is when Kenny played all 11 players were superstars. Steven has played with some basic, ordinary footballers who wouldn’t have gotten into Kenny’s reserve team.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton added: “He has seen some of the tough time as well as the good times. To go out season after season shows the character of the player. He has been first-class.”
