As the supporters slowly drain out of Anfield's exits on Saturday evening, one man inside the changing rooms will be desperate to cherish every last second. 

Whilst the excitement of a new challenge awaits, leaving such familiar surroundings behind will be difficult to contemplate after what promises to be an emotionally-charged last 90 minutes on the Anfield pitch.

For 16 and a half years, the thought of leaving Liverpool Football Club was simply unthinkable. Though of course, it almost came true back in 2005 - a late change of heart changed the course of his career, and the history of his beloved Liverpool.

Incredible highs, and gut-wrenching lows - the man's career path has spanned all kinds of emotions and memories. It has been an incredible and unforgettable journey, one which all Liverpool fans have savoured. But that journey is now reaching its end, in a red shirt at least.

Steven Gerrard will inevitably struggle to let it sink in throughout the course of Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace.

To think that it is the last time he will be playing in front of the supporters he knows so well, Gerrard will do well to contain his emotions. After all, it will be the last time he touches the 'This is Anfield' sign before he walks out of the tunnel and onto the hallowed turf to the sound of You'll Never Walk Alone ringing around the air.

Rightly so, the Kop will lift a mosaic in his honour before kick-off, and the supporters will be airing the usual range of chants in their captain's honour throughout the game - but there will still be a feeling of tangible sadness after the fanfare is over.

A sadness enriched by the fact that Gerrard will leave the club having never lifted the one trophy he craved so badly - the Premier League. The ever-elusive medal missing from an otherwise perfect cabinet, littered with incredible accolades, awards and glory-laden reminders. 

The Champions League final will never be forgotten, neither will the skipper's immense contributions on their way to an FA Cup victory over West Ham United a year later - but the regret of never winning the Premier League, particularly after twice coming so close, will always hang over his almost untouchable reputation.

It is the only factor separating Steven Gerrard from ranking amongst the world's elites - though, for a time, the Huyton-born midfielder was an unstoppable concoction of power, passion and sheer determination whom was capable of overcoming any midfield single-handedly.

That's exactly what he helped achieve in Istanbul. An incredible and improbable comeback against one of the most talented sides of a generation.

But Liverpool fans will be able to look back and reminisce of many, many happy memories thanks to a man who has been the beating Scouse heart of too many mediocre teams, driving them over the line when they needed it most.

Olympiakos, Istanbul and Cardiff just the pinnacles, Gerrard has been the scourge of Everton and Manchester United supporters; be it that particular Sky Sports camera he loves so much at Old Trafford, or his constant ability to find the back of the net against the Reds' bitter Merseyside rivals - even now.

He always was, and will be, the big man for the big moment. Countless stoppage-time winners, stunning pile-drivers and big-game contributions - even this season, against the Basel in the Champions League - it was the skipper's free-kick which rallied a late fightback. 

Quite how large the void will be in his absence is something no-one associated with the club dares think about until the beginning of next season, but for now - it is about cherishing the legend that Gerrard is on L4.

There are not many words that can pay justice to just how good Gerrard has been through the years. Whilst the debate over how he ranks up against the Premier League's best ever midfielders will forever ramble on, there is no doubt amongst those supporters in Anfield who is the best in their eyes.

He is regularly heralded as the Reds' best ever player, even though Liverpool FC has seen numerous greats grace their shirt - from Kenny Dalglish to Kevin Keegan, and Ian Rush to Robbie Fowler.

But Gerrard stands atop them all, for the immense contributions, and sacrifices, he has made for his club.

When the club was on its knees, he chose not to make big-money moves to the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid or even Bayern Munich - because of his adoration for Liverpool, both the city and the club.

It is for that, why Liverpool fans hold him in the highest possible esteem.

It would have been so easy for the captain to turn his back and move elsewhere, somewhere he wouldn't be the man relied upon week after week. But he didn't, and though his one-club record ends later this month, it is to his integrity that even at his age - where many other players have been more than happy to pack it in - he's leaving because he still has that drive to play first-team football every weekend.

Even if the surroundings in the States are sure to be luxurious, and the pay packet more handsome - Gerrard is ultimately leaving because he still wants to play each and every weekend, giving the 100% he gives every game - even if it isn't at the same combative pace that his style was once.

Even now, it is Steven Gerrard who leads Liverpool when they need him most. It is he, always the one to stand up and be counted in times of hardship - that same sense of enjoyment and passion he had even when an 18-year-old making his debut against Sheffield Wednesday.

It is a testament to the man's character that when that header glanced across Robert Green's goal and into the top corner to light up Anfield on a dull English afternoon earlier this month - his eyes lit up with the same childlike joy that they had when he scored his first ever goal.

After all, he is one of the fans. The bond that Gerrard shares with the club's fans may never ever be matched, and why should it be? A working-class hero, inside the 34-year-old is still that same child kicking a ball about on a park in Liverpool with the dream of making just one appearance for the club's first-team.

Through the years, Gerrard's endearment to Liverpool has endured almost every test, but even now - weary-eyed and no longer the body he once possessed at the peak of his powers, he is still there to rescue the Reds again.

He is a man like no other and perhaps no other will ever match both his achievements and his synonymous relationship with Liverpool Football Club like he has.

After 708 appearances, 185 goals, seven major trophies and multitudinous other individual achievements - glittering does not do enough to describe Gerrard's 17-year playing career with the Reds - one which will go down in the history books for all of the future generations to gasp at.

By the time Gerrard truly ends his affiliation - as a player - with Liverpool, the highlight reel may not be long enough to encapsulate his incredible accomplishments. 

Heroes don't come around often, especially ones as loyal and talented as Steven Gerrard - but when they do, they should be enjoyed, revered and most of all - remembered. That's exactly what Liverpool's number eight forever will be. A story of one of the greats.