Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has described Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as the "most complete" midfielder of his generation.
Gerrard will call an end to his 17-year Liverpool career on May 24, but he will play at Anfield for the final time this Saturday when the Reds take on Crystal Palace.
The 34-year-old has never won a league title, but the midfielder has two FA Cups, three League Cups and a Champions League winners' medals in his cabinet.
On Twitter this afternoon, Barton, who is a lifelong Everton fan, wrote: "Lots of praise and admiration flying about for Steven Gerrard today and rightly so. A phenomenal career at his boyhood club. #legend
"The most complete midfielder of my generation. He could do it all and did for a number of years. Highest compliment I could pay him is, he's a player I'd be proud to tell my grandchildren that I once played against... #Gerrard."
As well as expressing his admiration, Barton took a dig at Gerrard's hairstyle by tweeting: "He's achieved so much. One of his biggest achievement in my eyes, which often goes under the radar is having the same haircut for so long.
"It must be incredibly tough to ignore the trends and stick with the tried and tested 'no 2 on the top and 1 on the sides' for over a decade."
Gerrard will join MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy on an 18-month deal in July.
Danielle Joynson
