Jordan Henderson feels Steven Gerrard showed what a huge loss he will be to Liverpool with his late winner against QPR, but believes they can become a better team without the 34-year-old.
Liverpool captain Gerrard will end his Anfield career by joining LA Galaxy at the end of the European season and Henderson, who is set to take over as skipper, admits the club face a challenge to progress after his departure.
Gerrard missed a penalty eight minutes before scoring his 184th -- and potentially last -- Liverpool goal at Anfield in Saturday's 2-1 win, and Henderson felt the ex-England international's response showed his strength.
"It is typical Stevie," he said. "He will be disappointed with the penalty but he erased it very quickly, got on with the game and came up with the goal.
"I was pleased for him because I am sure he wouldn't have been able to get that out of his mind all night. That just shows his character.
"Sometimes that can affect people but he gets on with it right to the end and he came up with the winner right at the end."
Gerrard has made more than 700 appearances for Liverpool since debuting in 1998, and has captained them for the last 12 years.
But while Liverpool, who are only fifth in the Premier League, have endured a disappointing season, Henderson is confident they can fare better without the veteran.
"He is a big loss to the team," the former Sunderland midfielder added. "He is our leader and a big influence on games for us so you will miss big players like that.
"But at the same time we have to move on when he does go, and I think we have the players who can improve and have a really good go next season."
Liverpool are trying to sign PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay, the top scorer in the Dutch league, and Manchester City midfielder James Milner as they look to bolster their squad.
And Henderson hopes signings can enable them to return to the top four, adding: "We have quality players.
"Obviously bringing in people in the summer we will welcome because the better the players we have here, the better it is for us in terms of competition to get into the team and push on and try to win trophies and try to play in the Champions League.
"We have great players here, we just have to keep improving as a young squad and I am sure come next season we will be raring to go again."