Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hails departing Steven Gerrard

Liverpool-talisman-Steven-Gerrard

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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was quick to praise departing talisman Steven Gerrard, despite his final game at Anfield ending in defeat.

Liverpool took an early lead against Crystal Palace on Saturday through Adam Lallana but the visitors secured a 3-1 triumph thanks to goals from Jason Puncheon, Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray.

Gerrard, who made his Liverpool debut in 1998, confirmed earlier in the season he will join MLS side LA Galaxy when the campaign comes to a close having spent his entire career with the Merseyside outfit.

The former England international has won the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups during his time at Anfield and Rodgers moved to praise the departing midfielder after the defeat to Palace.

“He got a wonderful send off and did everything right until the very end,” said Rodgers of his captain.

“The support he got was brilliant and what they would expect of him; he has been a wonderful player and gave his all for the club.”

The Reds boss also has a rebuilding job on his hands this summer after Liverpool’s failure to replicate last season’s title challenge, or make an impact in the Champions League.

Rodgers will be keen to add to his attack and midfield options this summer, in part due to Gerrard’s impending exit, but he could also seek to strengthen in defence, as he felt defensive lapses cost his side against the Eagles.

He added: “The result was disappointing. We made poor defensive errors today across the field and got punished at the end of the first half and in the second half we didn’t defend well enough.

“Their attacking players posed us problems and we didn’t cope well enough.”

Newly-crowned champions Chelsea travel to West Brom on Monday and they are 1.95 to secure the win, while the Baggies can be backed at 4.00.

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