BREAKING TEAM NEWSpublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Liverpool
Steven Gerrard starts his final home game for Liverpool but striker Rickie Lambert and defender Glen Johnson make way for Alberto Moreno and Jordon Ibe.
Summary
Gerrard's final game at Anfield ends in defeat
Composed Lallana finish puts Reds ahead
Puncheon replies with 20-yard free-kick
Substitute Zaha prods Palace in front
Murray scores rebound after missing penalty
BREAKING TEAM NEWSpublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Gerrard's last Anfield gamepublished at 16:29 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield"Liverpool's veteran match-day announcer George Sephton - whose voice has been heard here for more than 40 years - has clearly been putting a bit of effort into his song selection for Steven Gerrard's final game at Anfield. Still 60 minutes to go, the stadium is deserted and it's Tina Turner's "Simply The Best."
Gerrard's last Anfield gamepublished at 16:27 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Image source, EPAHere he is, the man they have all come to say goodbye to. Steven Gerrard looks composed as he makes his way to the dressing room but will he be wiping away tears later?
Team news coming up...
"You'll Never Walk Alone"published at 16:24 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield
Image source, Getty Images"All about one man at Anfield today and the final paragraph of Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard's farewell programme notes says it all: "Obviously only 45,000 people can be inside the ground today but I know there are millions around the world and it's been an absolute privilege to play for every one of them. You'll Never Walk Alone."
Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 16:20 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesSo, it's an end of an era at Anfield but where does Steven Gerrard rank in the list of all-time Premier League midfielders? The top-flight has been blessed with wonderful talents in the shape of Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard. Is Gerrard the best of the lot? Or does he depart for Los Angeles trailing his rivals?
Tweet #bbcfootball,, external text 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external and Google+, external pages.
Votepublished at 16:20 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
So as Anfield prepares to laud Steven Gerrard, just where does he fit into the all-time list of Premier League central midfielders?
Vote now at the top of the page. Terms and conditions can be found here and the vote will close at 19:30 BST.
Gerrard's last Anfield gamepublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Top marks to the man who plays the music at Anfield. "Heroes" by David Bowie is being pumped out over the speakers as fans begin to make their way into the ground.
"I've lived my life for Liverpool FC"published at 16:16 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield
"The simple message from Steven Gerrard on the front of a special issue Liverpool match day programme sums it up perfectly."
The end of an erapublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesPlayers come and go so why is Steven Gerrard's final Anfield appearance significant? Liverpool fans don't need it spelling out but for those unaware of the love affair between the 34-year-old and the Kop, here goes.
Gerrard and Liverpool fans have so many shared memories, including the 2005 Champions League final, two FA Cups, three League Cups and a Uefa Cup. The local hero could have won so much more elsewhere but he stayed loyal when Chelsea came calling at the peak of his career.
Postpublished at 16:11 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Huge cheers for Steven Gerrard from a huge crowd that has gathered outside the players' entrance at Anfield as he climbs off the team coach. The captain, who is suited and booted, responds with a smile and a wave.
"Day of celebration and sadness"published at 16:08 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield
"A day of celebration and sadness here at Anfield as Liverpool captain Steve Gerrard makes his final appearance in front of The Kop - and the great old stadium is in readiness."
It's not goodbye, it's au revoirpublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesHas there ever been so much focus on a fifth versus 12th fixture in the history of the Premier League?
But for Steven Gerrard's last Anfield appearance as a permanent Liverpool player - talk of the midfielder returning from LA Galaxy on loan has already started - this would be a run of the mill end of season fixture.
Instead the football world awaits a moment of history as a Reds icon prepares to wave goodbye to his adoring public for the last time.
Holding back the tearspublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 16 May 2015
Image source, ReutersIt's a cold November Sunday on Merseyside and the time is around 17:45 GMT. Liverpool lead Blackburn Rovers 2-0 with one minute of normal time remaining when manager Gerard Houllier instructs a fresh-faced 18-year-old on the substitutes' bench to get ready for action.
The teenage midfielder hardly has time to do anything during his few moments on the pitch and those inside Anfield are unaware a Reds star is being born.
Sixteen years, five months and 17 days since that first appearance in 1998, Steven George Gerrard steps out in front of the Kop one last time before heading to LA Galaxy after helping the club win 10 trophies after 185 goals in 708 games.
Having caused grown men to weep with joy in Istanbul in 2005, it is the turn of arguably Liverpool's greatest ever player to fight back the tears at an emotionally charged Anfield.