In an era, where football players do not even twitch their muscle when a big team comes calling with mega bucks, Liverpool star Steven Gerrard stood firm at Liverpool for 17 years, despite Real Madrid, Chelsea and other big clubs showing interest in signing the player.
The player might have given a though to it, but with his heart set at Liverpool, no one, not even Jose Mourinho, could uproot him from Liverpool. That is one of the major reasons why Gerrard, who was also regarded by Zinedine Zidane as the best player in the world some years ago, is considered a Liverpool legend.
Gerrard might rue the fact that a Premier League medal eluded him, but for sure, 'Captain Fantastic' has won hearts of millions of football fans all around the world, especially with the loyalty that the player has shown towards the Merseyside club.
Talking about loyalty, Roma's Francesco Totti and Chelsea's John Terry are names, which springs to one's mind, but Steven Gerrard tops the list of most loyal players.
Despite loyalty, the writing was clear on the wall in the last few seasons that age was catching up with the midfielder, but make no mistake, he was still one of the most influential players in LFC.
It was just a matter of time before the player would hang his Liverpool boots and he made the decision earlier in the year. It was one moment which Liverpool fans feared the most, though it was inevitable.
After his announcement, each and every game he played was an inch closer to the emotional day, when he would play his last game at Anfield and so was it, Gerrard played his last in front of his home crowd (which he described as the best) on 16 May 2015 against Crystal Palace.
There is a popular saying 'no player is bigger than the club,' but during Gerrard's last game at Anfield, the Liverpool number 8 had made many of his fans think otherwise.
Each and every fan in the stadium wanted the skipper to walk out on a high and were looking for the elusive goal, which could have proved as an icing on the cake in his last Anfield game. It would have proved to be a fitting end to his glittering career.
Fans at Liverpool have been habituated to witness Gerrard give it his all for the Reds, and they are surely going to miss those screamers, hard tackles and leadership ability among a number of other attributes, which made him a Liverpool hero.
It was an emotional night for all those fans, who had gathered at Anfied to watch Steven Gerrard play for Liverpool one last time in front of his home crowd. Though, the Liverpool skipper just about have controlled his emotions post match, there were plenty of fans in the stadium, who shed tears for their beloved player.
These Liverpool fans have always been behind the skipper and they were eager to be a part of his last game that some of them even did not bat an eyelid to pay around £1,000 to watch.
It might take time for Liverpool fans to realise that the legend will no longer lead the team out of the tunnel at Anfield; rather he will be plying his trade in the US.
The feeling might not have sunk in yet for Liverpool fans as well. Will it ever?
