Saturday will be emotional, says Coutinho

With less than two weeks – and only two Premier League games – remaining until Steven Gerrard’s time as a Liverpool player comes to a close, many of Liverpool’s players will pay tribute to the legendary captain prior to the match.

Today, Philippe Coutinho has spoken of his respect and admiration for the man he has grown and played alongside since he joined from Inter Milan and has no doubt learned a lot from.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com yesterday, the 22 year old said:

“It’s going to be very emotional. He’s one of football’s greatest and I admire him a lot on and off the pitch.

“He’s a humble, hard-working character who gets on well with everyone. He’s also one of the best Liverpool player of all time, if not the greatest.

“I’m sure his last game at Anfield will be very moving to all involved.”

With Gerrard leaving in the summer, the last of the Champions League winning side of 2005 will have left Anfield and an era will have well and truly passed.

That said, as that particular era ends after the next two Premier League matches, it also presents an opportunity for the club’s young, talented player, such as Coutinho, who have learned and been under Gerrard’s tutelage for a few years to finally step up and stake their claim to be the next great Liverpool player and Coutinho believes he has learned a lot from the captain.

He continued: “He’s had a great influence on me and I must thank him for everything he did.

“I’m constantly observing him and the way he works in training. He’s selfless and treats everyone equally, from the youngest to the oldest.

“He’s an icon and having the opportunity to watch him closely has had in itself a huge positive impact on me.

“I’d like to thank him for these two and a half years we’ve been working together, which provided an opportunity for me to learn many things.

“I’m very honoured I’ve had the chance to live together with him daily in training and to play alongside him – it meant so much to me.

“I wish him and his family all the best on the course of his career. Thank you.”

What are you best memories of Gerrard and how much of an impact do you think he’s had on Liverpool Football Club over the years? Let us know in the comments.