A huge mural dedicated to a departing football hero has taken pride of place in a regional daily’s offices.

As reported last week on HTFP, the Liverpool Echo commissioned the artwork to mark the departure of Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard from the club.

The mural, which stands four metres tall and eight metres wide, is composed of good luck message sent in by supporters to the Echo’s website, Twitter and Facebook pages.

A team of artists worked on the display, with Liverpool supporters able to view it in progress and offer their own messages to form a composite image of Gerrard in the club’s famous all-red colours.

The mural, pictured above, has now been installed at the Echo’s Old Hall Street offices while a permanent home is sought for it.

A book containing more good luck messages is now being collated by the Echo before Gerrard moves to America to join his new club Los Angeles Galaxy, while a large poster version of the mural appeared in yesterday’s Echo.

Gerrard has played 114 times for England and made more than 500 appearances for his hometown club.

Echo editor Alastair Machray said: “Steven has been a giant among footballers and has written his name into Merseyside folklore.

“He has also been a huge help to, and supporter of, the Echo and her journalists over the last 20 years.

“We wanted to do something on top of the written tributes and photographic memories.

“We are proud to have worked with our readers to create something as innovative and touching.”

LA Galaxy also took out a full page advert in today’s Echo, pictured below, to thank Liverpool for their new player.