The Kop sang 'one more year', and never can their chant have carried such emotion... or such pleading, heartfelt truth.

It came at the end of a fine performance from Liverpool, and was aimed at Jamie Carragher as he was substituted to a rousing standing ovation at the end of his 737th and final game, plaintively urging him to reconsider his decision to quit.

And they are right, he should not be retiring. This great Anfield servant, this Liverpool legend still has so much more to give to the club he has graced so magnificently in a first team career that has spanned 16 and a half glorious seasons.

His performance here against a QPR side who were - despite the impression offered by the scoreline - simply overwhelmed by their on-fire opponents, suggested as much, as has his leadership and sheer quality since being restored to the side in January.

In the 14 matches since, Liverpool have lost one, a statistic that tells a powerful tale.

Carragher so very nearly added the perfect end to the emotive final chapter of his inspiring story. As he explained in a moving tribute to the fans afterwards, he began here almost 17 years ago with a goal in front of the Kop... and almost repeated the trick with a thunderous shot from fully 36 yards.

Oh how perfect, how fitting had it gone in. But instead, perhaps the cleanest strike of his career crashed back off the post, to produce a wry grin across the features of that famous face which is normally set into an eternal on-pitch scowl at his team-mates.

That broad smile was repeated at the end when he took the microphone on the pitch after being presented with a commemorative trophy on the pitch from Liverpool's all-time appearance record holder Ian Callaghan.

He spoke directly to the fans who have always idolised the kid from Bootle they know is one of them...and who they would most like to be. "Thanks to everyone here today and the fans who have supported me so magnificently. I scored at the Kop end on my debut and nearly finished it off with another one there," he said warmly.

"I've had so many memories in front of this incredible crowd, we've had so many great times and they have played a bigger part than anybody - so thank you most of all to the greatest fans there are."

Typical of the man, to turn the spotlight off himself. Yet if there are thanks to be offered they should be to the Reds icon, for offering all of us so many memories, so much class as a player and as a person. It was a theme taken up by his manager Brendan Rodgers at the end.

"It's with great sadness he's going. I don't think there are many about like him. What he has with this football club is almost unique," the Liverpool boss explained.

"Listen all great players their time comes to an end and they move on, but someone like Carra, that quality, that type I don't think there are too many around. It certainly won't be easy to replace him.

"With his leadership qualities and his warrior spirit I think his technical ability gets overlooked. I've been surprised myself by his technical qualities - he's a world class footballer who can defend and can play, and this club will sorely miss him."

Yet on a day when we inevitably looked to the past, Rodgers' team offered a tantalising glimpse of the future for this great club with the immensely encouraging display of youngsters like 17 year old Jordan Ibe on his debut, sub Suso and most significantly, the truly outstanding Phillipe Coutinho.

The Brazilian's goal to settle the game was sublime, a shot of such technique and such fizzing power it took the breath away...and stunned QPR into instant submission. appropriately enough it came in the 23rd minute.

With every touch, every pass, every step he looks what he is - a real talent, a real footballer, and with every game you wonder even more how Liverpool managed to get him out of Inter Milan so cheaply.

Ibe looks a prospect too, creating Coutinho's goal with a fine run and a couple of chances for himself that tested Robert Green and the Rangers defence. Suso too, had three chances within minutes of coming on, and Daniel Sturridge also went close on numerous occasions.

So there is promise for next season, but it would be greater if perhaps their most inspirational player wasn't retiring too early. 

Source: Daily Mirror