Steven Gerrard ‘desperate’ for winning Anfield exit

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard hopes he can keep his emotions in check when he bids farewell to Anfield on Saturday night.

Gerrard will play his final match at Anfield this weekend. Picture: AP

The 34-year-old is set to make his final home appearance against Crystal Palace at the weekend to bring the curtain down on a 17-year professional career with the Reds before joining Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy.

Gerrard will lead his side out, and admits he has been preoccupied by how he will handle everything at the end of the game.

“I am looking forward to it, I want to win the game desperately and finish on a high at Anfield. Come the end of the game, it will be an emotional time,” he said.

Gerrard lifted the European Cup after Liverpool defeated AC Milan in the 2005 final. Picture: Getty

“I have been dreading this moment at the end of the game in a strange way because I am going to miss it so much, playing at Anfield. The aim is to stay strong and avoid a few tears.

“I am not really one for attention. I feel a bit sorry for my team-mates. All the attention is on me but when the whistle goes it will be about getting the three points.

“I can only apologise if it has all been about me. I have never tried to grab any glory. From day one I have always tried to pull in the direction of the team.”

Gerrard admits his only regret is not winning the league with his boyhood club, having come so close last season and in 2002 and 2009.

“I look back at it with pride. I am really proud of what I have achieved here, all the trophies I have won,” he said.

“Certainly not winning the Premier League is a dent in that. There is nothing I can do about it now but 708 appearances is a lot more than I ever dreamed of.”

He was asked how he felt about being regarded as the club’s greatest player.

“I don’t think many players look at themselves at what they have done achieved or what the opinion is out in the open,” he said.

“I have loved every minute of playing for this club and every single game I’ve tried to do my best.

“Other people have opinions of you or put you in certain categories and compare you to players before or players coming through but there’s nothing I can do about that.”