When Gerard Houllier took over as manager of Liverpool FC in 1999, his quest was to bring glory back to Anfield. His prime concern lay with strengthening his defence and to this end he made what is arguably one of his finest signings. Houllier targeted Sami Hyypiä, a relatively unknown player who was at the time captain of the Dutch team Willem II. This candid biography focuses on Hyypiä's eventful journey from the Finnish village of Voikkaa to the heights of the English Premiership, where he has become the inspirational leader of the Liverpool team. It charts his life from childhood and documents his astonishing rise in the game, from youth teams to Finnish senior sides Pallo-Peikot, KUMU and MyPa - as well as his international career - before moving on to his years in Holland and England playing for Willem II and Liverpool respectively. Hyypia reflects on past games in which he competed against the likes of Batistuta, Rivaldo, Van Nistelrooy and Henry, and recalls the Liverpool derbies in which he's played. He also shares his thoughts on the Reds' 2001 UEFA Cup campaign, in which they defeated the mighty Barcelona in the semi-finals before going on the defeat Deportivo Alavés 5-4 in the final to clinch the coveted trophy. In 2001-02 season, during which the team had to contend with the serious illness of their manager, Hyypiä led them to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and second place in the Premiership. Then, in season 2002-03, Liverpool won the Worthington Cup and narrowly missed out on a Champions League place. Featuring exclusive contributions from numerous former and current colleagues and teammates, including Gérard Houllier, Jari Litmanen and Michael Owen, Sami Hyppiä digs deep to reveal all about the man, his views on the game, and his hopes and plans for the future.

Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC, but as a key member of the England team. Here, for the first time, he tells the story of his lifelong obsession with football, in an honest and revealing book which captures the extraordinary camaraderie, the soul-destroying tensions and the high-octane thrills of the modern game as never before. Born in the Liverpool suburb of Huyton in 1980, Steven first joined Liverpool as a YTS trainee and played his first game for the first team aged just 18. His career has gone from strength to strength ever since and he is now the team's captain and its lynchpin. Liverpool's incredible comeback in the Champions' League final in Istanbul in May 2005, recovering from a 3-goal deficit against AC Milan to win on penalties, is testament to the amazing power Gerrard has over his team. His presence on the pitch is a force to be reckoned with and places him amongst the very first rank of players in the world. A relatively private figure, Steven has rarely spoken out in public. Now, his legions of fans will be allowed an intimate glimpse of what makes their hero tick. He speaks for the first time about the torturous will-he-won't-he Chelsea rumours and his undying passion for Liverpool. We experience first-hand the highs of winning in Istanbul and elsewhere, as well as the occasional lows of being parted from his much-loved family and friends. And of course, the book contains a full blow-by-blow account of England's world cup campaign in Germany 2006. Steven Gerrard's book is the definitive football autobiography. Like its subject, it's honest, passionate and exhilarating. If Steven Gerrard isn't your hero yet, by the time you've read this he will be...

Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC and a key member of the England team. His bestselling autobiography, Gerrard, published in September 2006, is an honest and fascinating account of his life-long obsession with football and the tensions and thrills of playing at the top level. Now the book is available in this abridged version that is perfect for all young football fans.

Luis Villarejo reflexiona sobre la figura y el peso en un vestuario del capitán en un equipo de fútbol y su función como líder y aglutinador de voluntades. El capitán, en definitiva, como insignia. El capitán como expresión de fuerza, determinación y sentido común.

This is a stimulating and deeply insightful football narrative by Rafa Benitez which focuses on the legendary manager's dramatic six Champions League campaigns with Liverpool. Rafa expertly navigates fans through intriguing European adventures that embrace the triumph and despair of two Champions League finals, three semi-finals and five quarter-finals in what was a golden era for the Anfield club - an era that supporters felt gave them their pride back after years in the wilderness. What sets this apart is the unique ways in which Rafa allows fans into his high-pressured world, the fascinating glimpses he offers of a top manager's thought processes and decision making during the cut and thrust of a high-octane European campaign. Understand how a great manager prepares for, then executes, a master-plan for European success.

Steven Gerrard has already fulfilled his dreams of success and glory in the world of football. A lifetime supporter of Liverpool FC, Steven is surely the most successful product of the club's youth academy. In such a short space of time, the young trainee reached outstanding form as he continually improved his game. He was the winner of the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2001 and has been nominated for the senior award in recent years.An all-rounded player, he has played a pivotal role for both club and country making him one of the most popular players of all time. As his playing went from strength to strength, he quickly followed in the steps of Liverpool legends such as Ian Rush and John Barnes as he was passed the captains armband in 2005, Gerrard reached an ultimate high as he marched his side to victory in the Champions League Final in Istanbul.With Liverpool crowned the champions of Europe, Gerrard became the greatest hero and a sought after player. But he wasn't finished there. Inspiring Liverpool to another dramatic comeback against West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup Final, Gerrard scored a spectacular goal to help take the trophy back to Anfield.

Skilful and aggressive, Gerrard has a knack of scoring spectacular goals for club and country. A boyhood Liverpool fan, growing up on Merseyside, Gerrard is living the dream of playing for his team. Having emerged through the club's youth academy he made his debut for the Reds in November 1998 at the age of eighteen. Now captain of Liverpool FC, Gerrard has led his team to glory in both the European Cup and FA Cup. A key player for England, he will always be remembered for his goal in the famous World Cup qualifying game against Germany in September 2001. This is unique insight into a man who remains one of Europe's top talents.

For the Anfield faithful, Jamie Carragher represents everything that is great about Liverpool Football Club, prompting the Kop to sing 'we all dream of a team of Carraghers'. The club's vice-captain, longest-serving player and one of a select band of players to have made more than 500 appearances for the Reds, Carra never gives less than 100 per cent for the cause. He is the embodiment of old-fashioned football values - a rarity in the modern game - honest and uncompromising. In Carra: My Autobiography, the Liverpool defender takes us deep into the heart of Anfield, into the club's past glories and its uncertain future. In his typically down-to-earth style, Carra reveals what made him discard his blue Evertonian roots to become a fully fledged Red, how he mended his wild ways to become a true professional and a multiple trophy-winner, and the truth about a succession of managers - Evans, Houllier, Benítez - in the hottest seat in football. A Scouser through and through, Carra also has some forthright views on the England team, and tells why he rejected calls to return to the international fold. Full of sensational stories and controversial opinions, of glory and heartbreak on and off the pitch, Carra: My Autobiography is a football book unlike any other. The authentic voice of Anfield, Carra is one of the Bootroom Boys in true Liverpool tradition, and is as committed on the page as in every game he has played.

Welcome to this series of Short Talking Books. This volume focuses on Gerard Houllier's Liverpool during their Treble-winning season. The book includes short profiles of the team and others who played a part in their biggest success. It is written in a conversational question and answer format. ‘The Talking Manager’s’ series is designed as a ‘on the go’ travel book. The print size offers an easier read for small devices like mobile phones. Look for others in the series.

The Little Book of Liverpool FC – a book on the Reds like no other, packed with facts, stats, trivia, stories and legends. Liverpool, the most prolific trophy-winning club in the history of domestic and European football, has a rich and varied history. Players such as Elisha Scott, Billy Liddell, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and Steven Gerrard are synonymous with the club’s success and their achievements, along with all those who have worn the red shirt, are envied throughout the world.This book charts the club’s history in an intriguing format which will appeal to all fans, young or old, so why not take a look back at what has made this club what it is today – the players and characters that have represented Liverpool over the years and the events that have shaped the club.If you want to know the record crowd for a home game, the record appearance holder or longest-serving manager, look no further – this is the book you’ve been waiting for. All the well known events are covered, as are many priceless trivia gems – who can claim to know that a former world heavyweight champion boxer was once on the club’s books and that one trophy win may be down to a Romany curse on the opposition? Can you really afford not to own a copy?