The long-serving midfielder has won two FA Cups, a UEFA Cup, the Champions League and three League Cups during his 709 appearances for his boyhood club, and Sturridge believes that the 34-year-old is the finest footballer to have played for Liverpool.

The England striker, who is currently recuperating in the United States after undergoing hip surgery earlier this month, posted on Instagram: "The greatest player to ever wear a Liverpool shirt. Wish I was there to share his last moments and season with the club.

"He's taught me a lot about football on and off the field and made me feel welcome at the club on my first day when I was nervous and had no idea what to expect. As the saying goes you don't know what you've got till its gone but for me we already know what we'll miss.

"As I said before the greatest to wear the the Liverpool shirt and one of the greats of world football leaves our club today and I just want to say thanks for everything bro. All the best on the next chapter of your life and career. Studge @stevengerrard"

The greatest player to ever wear a Liverpool shirt. Wish I was there to share his last moments and season with the club. He's taught me a lot about football on and off the field and made me feel welcome at the club on my first day when I was nervous and had no idea what to expect. As the saying goes you don't know what you've got till its gone but for me we already know what we'll miss. As I said before the greatest to wear the the Liverpool shirt and one of the greats of world football leaves our club today and I just want to say thanks for everything bro. All the best on the next chapter of your life and career. Studge @stevengerrard ❤️

A photo posted by Daniel Sturridge - Dstudge (@danielsturridge) on May 16, 2015 at 11:44am PDT

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has claimed that the departing Gerrard will be "irreplaceable" at Anfield.