Image source, EPA

It's a lovely night in Liverpool. But the sun has gone down on Steven Gerrard's Anfield career. It wasn't the home send off Gerrard dreamed off but the Reds icon can still help his side win at Stoke next week. Thanks for your company.

And here's a nice touch from Crystal Palace....

Crystal Palace:, external "Congratulations to Steven Gerrard on a wonderful career with @LFC. All the best for the future from all at @CPFC."

Image source, Tony Bellew

British cruiserweight boxer and proud Evertonian Tony Bellew posts on Instagram:, external "My eldest boy was star struck meeting Steven! Broke my heart many a time but can't deny what a great footballer the lad is and a true role model for upcoming footballers and Scousers especially."

Match of the Day

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer tweets:, external There are good players and then there are great players. Good luck to Steven Gerrard, one of the great English players of our generation.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "Steven got a wonderful send off and he gave everything right to the end. He was the one who was driving us forward in the game and I though the support was absolutely brilliant, which is what you would expect. It was fantastic for him and his family but obviously the result and performance was disappointing."

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew speaking to Match of the Day: "Against Manchester United and Chelsea we were excellent. We played at the same level today and the breaks fell our way. The balance of the side was held by Marouane Chamakh and well supported by the runners in midfield. Yannick Bolasie has that power and fear factor in him that scares defenders and it was a really top performance from him and us."

In a world full of social media, mobile phones, email, Periscope (if you've not heard of it, give it a Google), what better way to say goodbye to someone than with a hand-written letter.

Image source, Mario Balotelli

That's exactly what Mario Balotelli has produced for Steven Gerrard. The Italian calls playing with his captain an "amazing and unforgettable experience". "You are a great man and cool captain," he adds. "It is a pleasure to leave free kicks and penalties to you."

One last go. One final foray around turf he once only dreamed of gracing. And boy oh boy, has he graced it.

Image source, Opta

Gerrard had 68 touches, played 53 passes, completing 85%, made two interceptions and one tackle.

Let's hope he soaked them all up.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "Steven is a player and a person who is irreplaceable in terms of what he has given over his time here. The standards he has set have been second to none. We now go forward at the end of the season without him and try to find a way to improve. That's our challenge."

Steven Gerrard speaking to Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker: "I wanted to say goodbye in a proper way - the only way I'd ever come back would be an emergency situation, but I hope I'm not needed come the winter."

On being a future manager: "You have to be good enough. This is a big club and can be brutal at times. I'm trying to go through the coaching badges and it's a bridge I will cross in a couple of years."

Match of the Day

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew: "You have to admire the stadium as the emotion of the occasion wasn't going to stop them from celebrating Stevie. That was a really nice moment and an honour to be here. Words don't really conduct the feeling for Stevie across the country. Today we respect what he's done for both Liverpool and England and I'm sure he'll go on to better things in the USA and in coaching."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "In my time here we have lost two players who have played 700 games in Jamie Carragher and now Steven. They have been monumental players for this club and you throw in losing a world-class player like Luis Suarez. This is the challenge but we have to rise to it."

Steven Gerrard says he will never forget this day - and neither will Crystal Palace. This is their first league win at Anfield since November 1991.

Steve Gerrard, speaking to Match of the Day's Gary Lineker: "It was very emotional - an unbelievable send off. I'm very proud looking back at the last 17 years, but me being who I am, I'm disappointed in the team performance. Palace were fantastic and spoiled the party if you like. I will never forget this day - it's a day I've been dreading it, because I will miss it so much."

MOTD's Alan Green at Anfield

Image source, Getty Images

"All supporters, of whatever persuasion, should acknowledge we are witnessing the departure of a true legend of English football, not least because, like John Terry at Chelsea and Gary Neville at Manchester United, Steven Gerrard has been a one-club man.

"Don't expect to see too many more of their ilk."

Crystal Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon, talking to Sky Sports: "I grew up watching Steven Gerrard on Match of the Day. To play on the same pitch as him is some honour. It was great to be part of such a huge occasion."

Steven Gerrard to BBC Sport: "It was very emotional. I'm slightly disappointed with the team performance but credit to Crystal Palace. They spoilt the party. This is a day I will never ever forget. I've been in this city for a long time and it's time for a little break. Hopefully I will be welcomed back one day."

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports: "Steven has basically been the fan on the pitch. Every kid who grows up wants to be Steven Gerrard."

Image source, Getty Images