Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has paid tribute to Steven Gerrard for the captain's loyalty to his boyhood club.
Gerrard will make his final appearance at Anfield when Crystal Palace visit on Saturday.
After 17 years with the Reds, Gerrard will leave for Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer, and Owen praised his ex-teammate for sticking with the club despite interest from the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid earlier in his career.
Owen told Sportlobster: "As football has become so much more professional and business-like over the years, his kind of loyalty and continuity with one football club is definitely becoming more and more of a rarity and I certainly tip my hat to him.
"I'm sure that there are still a good couple of years left in Stevie's legs and moving to the MLS at this point is a perfect opportunity for him to extend his career at a high level.
"Although it must seem like the long goodbye for Liverpool fans, in the words of Eduardo Galeano, "history never really says goodbye. History says 'See you later.'"
The 34-year-old former England captain has won two FA Cups, a UEFA Cup, the Champions League and three League Cups during his time with the Reds.
Gerrard starts against the Eagles this evening and Sports Mole's live commentary of the game is available here.
Paul Gorst
