If it weren't for John Houlding Liverpool Football Club would never have been born. But even Houlding could not have predicted how successful Liverpool FC would become: no English club can match The Reds' roll of honour at home and abroad: Five European Cup/Champions Leagues, three UEFA Cups, 18 Football League championships, six FA Cups; eight Football League Cups, plus numerous others.

The Official Liverpool FC Illustrated History charts rise of Liverpool FC to the very summit of English and European football, from the struggles of the early years in the nineteenth century, through the domination of the late twentieth century, to the great cup successes in the new millennium. It tells the story of a club that is rich in tradition: the famous Boot Room ethic that has permeated every corridor of Anfield; plus the awesome support offered by the Kop, still a hotbead of football fanaticism.

This updated edition recalls the deeds of legendary managers such as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish, and salutes the achievements of more recent bosses, Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez and the current incumbent Brendan Rodgers. It also celebrates the litany of players whose names are etched in Liverpool FC folklore: from Alex Raisbeck and Billy Liddell to Roger Hunt and Kevin Keegan; through Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and Graeme Souness, to the modern legends, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard and young guns Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling.

This is a fascinating journey through almost 125 years of sporting heroics, incredible victories and emotional near-misses; stories of triumph and tragedy; but, most of all, a tale of incredible passion and pride.