On Jan. 1, Liverpool F.C.’s Twitter page officially announced that longtime Liverpool captain and midfielder Steven Gerrard was set to leave the club after the 2014-2015 season ended, shocking soccer fans everywhere.

“It was a big surprise to me because he’s been at Liverpool for so long, and he’s  their captain.  It’s a really big deal for everyone, especially their [Liverpool] fans,” said junior Austin Lindsey.

Gerrard has often been called the “face of Liverpool” as he has played for Liverpool, youth and senior career combined, since he was eight years old and has been captaining since 1997.  For many fans, Gerrard is synonymous with Liverpool; it is hard to imagine a team without him.

“He’s the only captain I’ve ever seen.  He’s had some really good moments,” said freshman Chris Hughes.

Gerrard has recently announced he is transferring to Major League Soccer (MLS), specifically the Los Angeles Galaxy.  There were many questions surrounding his decision to transfer to MLS, which is a notorious transfer spot for players who are over the age of  thirty.  Senior Leanne MacHorton, however, sees his transfer as just that, a transfer.

“[A lot of players transfer] Frank Lampard transferred to Manchester City, and he’s in his thirties,” said MacHorton.

Gerrard, unlike Lampard, captains Liverpool, and the question on everyone’s mind is “who will be the next captain?”  Favorites include centre back Martin Skrtel, who is one of the senior members on Liverpool’s lineup, and midfielder Jordan Henderson, who is also the current vice-captain.  Most fans seem to be leaning toward the latter of the two.

“[Skrtel] He’s been there for a while, and I feel like he would be a good choice.  Then again, Jordan Henderson is the vice-captain,” said Lindsey.

Fans are well aware there is no replacing Gerrard and have started looking back at the skipper’s finest moments at Liverpool.  Many Liverpool fans have been reliving the 2014 Premier League semifinal game against Manchester City that ended in victory and Gerrard shouting, “This does not f—ing slip!”  The quote was later used as a punchline by many fans of opposing clubs as Gerrard had slipped in the next game against Chelsea.  Regardless of what happened after, the victory was an emotional one for Gerrard as the Premier League title is the only one that has evaded him.

Perhaps Gerrard’s finest moment in a Liverpool shirt is the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul against AC Milan.  Liverpool had been down 3-0 at halftime but made a miraculous comeback at the 54th minute with Gerrard’s goal.  In a matter of six minutes, Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso had also scored, equalizing and taking the game to extra time and later penalties.  Liverpool won the final in penalties, and Gerrard was the club hero from that night on.

Thinking about Gerrard’s time with Liverpool is bittersweet and remembering he has been in a Liverpool shirt since the age of eight only makes it harder for every fan.  It will be hard to watch him play his last game at the end of the season, but Gerrard has a legacy that has already been written into Liverpool’s history.

You’ll never walk alone, Gerrard.