Steven
Gerrard's final appearance at Anfield was marked by supporters wearing scarves,
shirts, pins and even masks as they waved their club captain off in style.
The
former England international is leaving for the United States in June as he
joins Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy, and there was plenty of memorabilia
for sale ahead of the big game.
Speaking
with Sky Sports, Gerrard was prepared for an emotional finale at Anfield before
playing in front of The Kop for the final time, and the sold-out stadium were
in full chorus as they chanted his name before kick-off.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard applauds the supporters as he is greeted by a guard of honour before his final match at Anfield
The 34-year-old leads his side through the pre-match handshakes with the Crystal Palace players
The sold-out stadium rose as one to create a mosaic that reads 'S 8 G' for their hero
As the sun shone on Anfield's Centenary Stand the supporters held up cards to spell out 'captain'
Many fans took the chance to personally thank one of their greatest ever players in their own words
Giant flags and banners were held aloft to welcome Liverpool's loyal servant
Crowd mosaic cards placed on each of the seats remind the fans to play their part in what promised to be a memorable evening for all
A custom for Liverpool players past and present, Gerrard touches the famous 'This Is Anfield' sign as he exits the Anfield tunnel for the very last time
Gerrard walks out for his final game at Anfield accompanied by his three daughters
As the stadium began to fill the fans pulled out the banners, this one remembering Liverpool's heroic Champions League win in 2005
Gerrard spoke briefly with the media and shared a joke with former Liverpool team mates Jamie Carragher (second right) and Jamie Redknapp (right)
The veteran midfielder soaks in the moment whilst he and his team-mates go for a warm up
Liverpool legend Gerrard looked pensive as he arrived at Anfield for the final time on Saturday afternoon
A Liverpool fan looks over the Gerrard merchandise available before kick-off in his final appearance at Anfield
Gerrard masks were for sale as well as flags outside of Anfield as the club's fans waved their hero off in style
A shop front is covered by Gerrard memorabilia for sale ahead of the kick-off with Crystal Palace at Anfield
A Gerrard scarf for sale in LA Galaxy colours as the captain prepares to join the Major League Soccer outfit
'I'm ok,
I'm finally in the zone. It's been a busy week, a lot of attention on myself
but now it's down to the team, we need to try and get three points and have a
good send-off,' Gerrard said.
'All that
I can ask for is three points really, and obviously everyone knows in the
stadium that I'll be trying to get on the scoresheet, that'll be a nice bonus.'
Reciting
the words to Liverpool's famous hymn 'You'll Never Walk Alone', The Kop unified
to create an 'S 8 G’ mosaic for Gerrard, while the Centenary Stand read:
'Captain.'
Gerrard
was focused on avoiding tears for his final match, having spoken about it
during a press conference ahead of the tie.
Asked
whether he will cry, Gerrard said: 'I really don't know. I've never been in
this situation so I'm not sure. I don't want to. I want to keep it in check but
I'm dreading the moment when the final whistle comes.'
Framed photographs of the Liverpool captain for sale outside of Anfield ahead of kick-off
Pins that read 'The Legend Stevie G' were up for sale ahead of the match with Crystal Palace
The match day programme featuring an image of Gerrard on its front cover
A supporter reads a copy of Liverpool FC magazine also emblazoned with the image of the club's beloved skipper
Seen as a legend throughout the red half of the city, even those not so fortunate to attend the game showed their support for Gerrard
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