Totti leads tributes to departing Liverpool captain Gerrard

Gerrard, a former England captain, will play his last ever match at Anfield today after 17 professional seasons with the club he grew up supporting and Totti, who himself has represented his boyhood team for 22 years, was keen to pay his respects to someone he has always admired – personally and professionally.

The two football icons, widely regarded as the most loyal players in the game, have met each other numerous times on and off the pitch over the years and whilst results in some of the big games have not always gone Roma’s way, it hasn’t detracted from the Roma captain’s view of his fellow professional.

“I'd put him in the top three, not just in England but in the world because he's a complete player, someone who's always made the difference ever since he was young. And he's still doing that for Liverpool.

“Ultimately he's a player I like to watch and enjoy up close. The Liverpool fans should be honored to have had a captain like him.

“I've got both positive and negative memories of Steven Gerrard because it's always great to come up against players like him. That said, I don't have particularly fond memories of playing against Liverpool, especially at their place. They were always open games but ultimately the results were negative.

“Would I have liked to play alongside him? I think anyone would love to play with players of that calibre. He's a terrific player; he's a match winner, so I think he's a player any club in the world would want.

“Gerrard is a complete player because he can play in every position and can do everything with a football at any time in a game. He's a player who scores goals, who builds the play, he's a sensational player.

“I think people all over the world know that Gerrard has been a Liverpool legend. He's spent many years playing for one team and has always fought for that club. He should be respected and thanked for everything he's achieved.”