Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has paid tribute to Steven Gerrard ahead of his testimonial.

Lawrenson wrote in the Liverpool Daily Post: "Gerrard has been nothing short of absolutely brilliant for Liverpool.

"It will be a very sad day when he is unable to play on a regular basis.

"He is the face of Liverpool to millions around the world, and he is an extremely acceptable face, a real ambassador for the club.

"Everything about him is top class. I've had plenty of dealings with Steven regarding different matters, and he has always come across as a nice bloke.

"When he received a special tribute award from Football Writers' Association earlier this year, he made a point of going across to every single table and thanking them. I have never seen any player do that before at one of those awards.

"But that's him. That's the way he is."