Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is applauded off by Chelsea fans. [Photo/Agencies]

"Not winning the Premier League will be a dent on my pride. But sitting here now with 708 appearances I've achieved a lot more than I thought. I'm proud of what I've achieved here at Anfield. I grew up dreaming of playing for Liverpool."

Gerrard admitted to dreading the moment of his farewell match at Anfield.

"I'm going to miss it so much, playing at Anfield in front of the fans. I'll try to avoid the tears. I've loved every minute representing this club.

"People compare you to players from before or players coming through! but I just try to be the best I can be."

Gerrard said lifting the European Cup in Istanbul was the highlight of his career and memories of that match still made his hair stand on end.

"It's going to go down as the best Champions League final ever and as captain of the winning team there was no prouder man on the planet."

As a hint the door may not have closed completely on Anfield Gerrard said he is currently taking his European coaching credentials, paving the way for a future career in football management. That will give many Anfield diehards the hope their hero will one day return to Anfield in a managerial role.