Steven Gerrard's return to Anfield ended in defeat for Aston Villa, but the Liverpool legend received a warm reception from supporters.
The build-up to the clash focused primarily on Gerrard facing his former club, but he insisted he was uninterested in the sentimental nature of the game before kick-off.
“Of course there’ll be emotion because of where it’s at and my history with the team we’re playing against, but that’s the challenge, to try to control it as much as I can,” he told the media on Friday.
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At the final whistle, though, once the dust had settled, Gerrard embraced a number of Liverpool players and caught up with some former team-mates.
The 41-year-old engaged in a lengthy discussion with current captain Jordan Henderson, whom he played alongside for five years.
He then made his way over to Joe Gomez and other Reds stars before he embraced and exchanged a few words with Jurgen Klopp.
Mohamed Salah's 67th minute penalty was the difference between the two sides on the day.
But Gerrard's start to life at Villa Park has been a positive one.
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The Midlands club have won three of their last five matches since Gerrard's arrival, defeated only by Liverpool and Manchester City.
Virgil van Dijk admitted after the game it was good to see the former Liverpool midfielder back at Anfield.
"Yeah, it [the reception] was deserved," he told the BBC post-match
"He is Liverpool throughout. If you think about Liverpool, you think about Stevie G.
"He is a legend and always will be. He will always be welcomed here.
"It was emotional for him, I don't think he can deny it. It was good to see him back."
