As he prepares to make his final Liverpool appearance, footballer Steven Gerrard has said he does not like the heightened attention surrounding his departure.
Liverpool host Crystal Palace on Saturday, in what is sure to be an emotional farewell as Gerrard bows out in front of his team's supporters.
The former England captain will move to American club Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, bringing down the curtains on a 17-year playing career for Liverpool in which he has made more than 700 matches.
"I'm going to get the attention at the weekend, it's not something I really like, but hopefully I can put in a good performance for the supporters so we can get a win and I can enjoy the send-off that I'm going to get," Gerrard was quoted as saying by soccerway.com on Wednesday.
"It's going to be a difficult day but I'm going to try and enjoy it."
Gerrard believes it will be an emotional day for him his family and all the fans who have seen him perform over so many years.
"It'll be strange, I'm sure it will. It'll be an emotional day for me and my family and friends that have followed me throughout my career.And also for a lot of supporters that have watched me for many, many years, not just at the stadium but around the world as well."
However, the 34-year-old added amidst such emotions he would want to stay focused on the remaining games.
"Everyone's talking about it but for me I just want to stay focused on the remaining games and the training and sessions ahead."
"There's plenty of time to be sentimental and emotional after the games are done but I don't really want to listen to supporters being emotional face to face because I'm a little bit afraid of breaking down and showing too much," he said.
