Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has sympathy for Steven Gerrard as he starts his final game against Manchester United today from the bench.

Lawro wrote in the Liverpool Echo: "Today is Steven Gerrard's last chance to appear against Manchester United, a team against which he has enjoyed such personal success.

"And it's another step in the long goodbye for the Liverpool skipper.

"As frustrated as I'm sure Stevie will be if he doesn't start, he will no doubt understand.

"But while he is going to pastures new on a different continent in the summer, he'll want to play as much a part as he can in a team that will hopefully qualify for the Champions League and win the FA Cup.

"If you'd have said only three months ago that Gerrard wouldn't be a regular starter, I'd have wondered what you were smoking.

"Liverpool, though, are in the process of moving on. They are in good hands both on and off the field, they have a relatively young squad, they have something to build on and if they qualify for the Champions League they will be able to attract more top players."