(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says he is ready for an "emotional" Anfield farewell this weekend as he plays his final home match for the club.
Gerrard, who turns 35 later this month, is leaving Liverpool this summer to play for Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS in the United States.
The captain will make his final appearance the following weekend away to Stoke City but it's the Anfield farewell, against Crystal Palace, that will have him battling his emotions.
"It'll be strange, I'm sure it will," Gerrard told Liverpool's official website.
"It'll be an emotional day for me and my family and friends that have followed me throughout my career.
"And also for a lot of supporters that have watched me for many, many years, not just at the stadium but around the world as well.
"I'm going to get the attention at the weekend, it's not something I really like, but hopefully I can put in a good performance for the supporters so we can get a win and I can enjoy the send-off that I'm going to get.
"It's going to be a difficult day but I'm going to try and enjoy it."
Gerrard has played for Liverpool throughout his career, making 708 appearances and winning numerous trophies including the Champions League, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the UEFA Cup.
Gerrard said he will try to put aside thoughts of his departure until after the last game of the season. "I think at the moment where I am with a couple of games left to go I don't really want to think about it too much," he said.
"Everyone's talking about it but for me I just want to stay focused on the remaining games and the training and sessions ahead.
"There's plenty of time to be sentimental and emotional after the games are done but I don't really want to listen to supporters being emotional face to face because I'm a little bit afraid of breaking down and showing too much."
Gerrard is expected to return to Liverpool, in some capacity, once his 18-month deal with LA Galaxy expires.
And one of his former managers, Gerard Houllier, said he would make an ideal Liverpool manager.
"He will make a great manager because he has always put the team first," Houllier told BBC Sport.
"He has got everything it takes to think about the team, the club and the development of others.
"He is a natural born leader, a very inspirational leader. He is somebody you want to follow."
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