Liverpool confirm Steven Gerrard will leave club at end of season

The end of an era.

Liverpool have confirmed that Steven Gerrard's time at Anfield will come to an end following the conclusion of the Premier League season.

Gerrard, whose decision to leave Liverpool means that he'll have completed 17 seasons at the Merseyside club by the time May rolls around, will be departing Anfield with one Champions League title (2005), one UEFA Cup title (2001), two FA Cup titles (2001, 2006) and three League Cup titles (2001, 2003, 2012).

At the individual level, Gerrard's roll of honour includes being named as the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) player of the year in 2006 and the PFA young player of the year in 2001, as well as being included in the PFA team of the year on eight occasions (2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014).

Reports have linked the former England captain with a move to Major League Soccer, a scenario that could unfold as Gerrard ruled out the possibility of joining another Premier League club while speaking about "the toughest decision of my life" on Friday.

"This has been the toughest decision of my life and one which both me and my family have agonized over for a good deal of time," Gerrard said, according to The Guardian. 

"Liverpool Football Club has been such a huge part of all our lives for so long and saying goodbye is going to be difficult, but I feel it's something that's in the best interests of all involved, including my family and the club itself.

"I'm going to carry on playing and although I can't confirm at this stage where that will be, I can say it will be somewhere that means I won't be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool – that is something I could never contemplate.

"My decision is completely based on my wish to experience something different in my career and life and I also want to make sure that I have no regrets when my playing career is eventually over.

The former England captain added: "It is a very special place to be part of. It is my sincere hope and wish that one day I can return to serve Liverpool again, in whatever capacity best helps the club."

There was inevitably an outpouring of support following Gerrard's announcement, as teammates – former and current – as well as managers and supporters took to Twitter to praise one of the most prolific careers Anfield has ever seen.

Anfield won't be the same without Gerrard.