Gerrard vows Anfield return

The 34-year-old is currently enjoying a post-season break before he begins a new challenge in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles Galaxy this summer.

But after 710 appearances in a 17-year professional career - and an association dating back to when he was eight - Gerrard has his sights set on coming back.

"I've been a supporter all my life and that will continue," he wrote in an open letter to fans in the Liverpool Echo.

"I hope to get the opportunity to come back and serve the club again one day.

"I feel that I can make a contribution in some role in the future."

Gerrard has been captain for over a decade and led from the front in most of the club's recent successes, most famously the comeback against AC Milan to win the Champions League in 2005.

However, this season he has not featured as regularly as he would have liked and that persuaded him a move to the United States would help prolong his playing career despite a contract offer coming in late from the Reds.

"I want to keep playing every week in the final few years of my career and I'm looking forward to embarking on a new challenge with Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS," he added.

"It's been an absolute privilege to represent this football club for so long.

"It's been very humbling and it's something I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

"People have often asked me about the pressure on my shoulders to deliver for Liverpool but I've never seen that as a burden.

"There's been huge responsibility on me but I've always loved and embraced that.

"It's been a massive honour to be captain of this club for so long.

"I've always given my best and tried to lead by example.

"But today is all about looking back and saying thank you to the fans for the magnificent support you have given me over the past two decades.

"You have helped me to fulfil my dreams over and over again and given me memories I wouldn't swap for anything."