Palace deliver knock-out Puncheon to Gerrard’s send-off

It was the day the club and its fans said goodbye for now to its favourite son.  Gerrard with his family in attendance inside the cauldron of an Anfield stadium filled to the brim with emotion was given a guard of honour by both teams.

While it was a day we knew would come it was still painful to watch Stevie G's final game on the hallowed turf knowing that those boots which so often scorched the Anfield turf are for pastures new.  The match may have been secondary, but make no mistake Palace were well worth their win and were unlucky not to have won more decisively.

We wished and waited for just one more magical Gerrard intervention, but even with Lallana breaking the deadlock early on it was not to be.

Gerrard and kids before the start

Alan Pardew like so many managers before him this season, denied Steven Gerrard the time and space to operate from his deep lying position.  Puncheon was mighty, controlling Palace’s tempo and driving the team forward doing a passable imitation of a younger Gerrard at play.

Bolasie gave Raheem Sterling a lesson on how a winger should play the striking role.  He mesmerised Moreno and ruined Lovren’s afternoon.  The centre-back is beginning to look as if the weight of his £20 million fee and the expectation is too much for him.  His performance vied with any of the dire performances the ex-Southampton player has delivered this season.  He was mauled and often left for dead by the Palace speedster and Moreno and for that matter Can did not escape the roasting handed out by the brilliant Congolese International.

Gerrard's celebrates Lallana's goal

The defensive display and the lack of protection from the midfield was ineptitude gone bad.  Daniel Sturridge or no Daniel Sturridge the need for a top class striker is for the here and now.  Try as he might Sterling is not going to quench the thirst of Brendan Rodgers strikers goal drought.

Sterling was poor and has been ever since his ill-advised use of the media to engineer either a bigger contract or a move.  Jordan Ibe was unlucky to be removed as it could have been any number of Liverpool players including Sterling.

The victory we so craved to send Steven Gerrard on his way to LA Galaxy was not forthcoming, but it failed to stop the celebrations from all including the wonderful Palace fans as Gerrard returned to the ground after the final whistle to say goodbye with his daughters Lourdes, Lexie and Lily-Ella and the Liverpool squad (with Gerrard shirts on)  for an emotional speech.

There were banners a plenty; “Thank you Liverpool’s Gr8est Y.N.W.A., “Steven Gerrard One of a Kind”, but a simple banner said it all, “It’s been a pleasure lad”.  The mosaic at the Kop End where he had once stood as fan read “S 8 G”, but moreover it was his words which made us realise the gap he is leaving because he makes us proud as our captain in all aspects.

Gerrard said, 'It felt very strange. I've been dreading this moment and I'm absolutely devastated I won't be playing in front of these supporters again.  

'I have to save my last thank you to these supporters who stand out more than any of them'.

'The very first time I ran out in front of The Kop, I'll never forget that. The first time I played for Liverpool was a dream come true. Everything after that was a bonus.

I'd like to thank everyone at the club who's helped me over the last 17 years, from top to bottom. I'd like to thank all the staff who have helped me, and all the ex-players I've played alongside.

But most of all, I'd like to thank the fans. These supporters here stand out more than any. I've played in front of most supporters around the world, but you are the best.' 

The hole Steven Gerrard leaves is significant both on and off the field and for me the sadness knows no bounds because he is my favourite player, but it is for Brendan Rodgers and co to step up to the plate and bridge the gap in the next transfer market and next season or else it won’t be only Steven Gerrard leaving.

Gerrard said some kind words in support of Brendan Rodgers remarking that Liverpool were in good hands, but over the past few months he has looked one dimensional and tactically suspect.  The jury is out and the honeymoon period is well and truly over even if he had fan flying a plane over Anfield with a banner saying in “Brendan we trust” in support.

Man of the match:  The Anfield faithful – sent their captain off in style.

Steven Gerrard arrived a boy, left a legend.