Liverpool bosses pay tribute to Gerrard

Liverpool principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner believe Steven Gerrard's contribution to the club is "beyond measure" while manager Brendan Rodgers insists it is "impossible" to assess the midfielder's importance.

Steven Gerrard's name will always be at the summit of Liverpool's long and distinguished list of legendary figures (AAP)

The Reds captain's announcement that he will end an association with his boyhood club this season which began when he was eight-years-old has brought glowing tributes from far and wide.

He has expressed a wish to return in some capacity in the future and there is already an open invitation on the table from Henry and Werner.

Fenway Sports Group took over the club in 2010, with Gerrard's best years already behind him, but that did not mean it did not recognise the significance of his impending departure.

"His contribution to the club is almost beyond measure and it's testimony to his influence, that despite Liverpool having such a long and distinguished list of legendary figures, the name Steven Gerrard will always be at the summit," the pair declared in a statement.

"There is sadness that such a great player and person is leaving and won't be playing for Liverpool beyond this season.

"But there is also a sense of celebration and gratitude, that we've all been privileged to watch and work with one of the true greats, not just of this club, but the game in general.

"I hope we all respect that Steven and his family want to pursue something new and different for the final years of his playing career.

"We all wish him well in this endeavour and look forward to welcoming him back to Anfield in the future, when the time is appropriate.

"Steven will always have a part to play for this club, as and when the time comes that he wishes to return."

Rodgers has always maintained he has benefited from Gerrard both on and off the pitch but he now must begin planning for life without his talismanic captain.

"It is almost an impossible task to find the words to appropriately sum up Steven Gerrard and his importance to Liverpool," he said.

"This is an era where the word 'legend' is vastly overused, but in his case it actually doesn't do him justice.

"People better placed than me to judge have said Steven is Liverpool's greatest ever player; when you look at the company he is in, that is some statement.

"As a player he is immense and the influence he has on games should never be understated.

"At times he has carried this club on his back and in my time here he has always shown the ability that has rightly seen him be regarded as one of the world's best for well over a decade.

"As a leader and as a man, he is probably incomparable to anyone I have ever worked with.

"He takes professionalism to a new level and the dedication he has to his work is an example to everyone in the game.

"Until the moment arrives I will continue to enjoy working with Steven Gerrard the man and Steven Gerrard the player, one of the greatest we have seen."