Former Liverpool and Ireland striker John Aldridge says the loss of Gerrard should not be underestimated.

The current club captain will depart Anfield this summer after spending his entire career at the club thus far.

Aldridge feels Gerrard will be missed by the Merseysiders on and off the field.

"It's not just on the field, it's in the dressing room. What he gets out of the players around him as a captain. He's inspirational all over the place and it's going to be hard to take. We won't have any local lads in the team," said Aldridge.   

Gerrard's former Liverpool and England team-mate Emile Heskey also praised him.

He said: "He's been the mainstay of the team. He's been the person that everyone has been looking up to and he's a legend in England and the whole world. It's nice for him to get this opportunity to go and play somewhere else."