Ring of Fire: Liverpool into the 21st century: The Players' Stories

This is a must-read for any Liverpool fan. The book offers really interesting, candid and interesting interviews from players, coaches and executives from the Houllier/Benitez -era. The great thing about the book is that the time period is covered from different viewpoints. It's really fascinating to read about the different takes from people from different positions about the same events. It really gives a good insight about the happenings of LFC during 1998-2010.

Simon Hughes has written an engrossing book containing first hand accounts of some of the best modern players to play for LFC. The tone of the book is effective and the pace is fluid, and you are left thinking- what could have been had DIC purchased the club instead of the cowboys?

interesting read - great insight from former players and staff

Loved this book! Great read for all true Reds!

This is the third in the series of Simon Hughes books on the past 3 decades of LFC. I've thoroughly enjoyed all three of them as Hughes gets the various players and administrators to share things that go beyond what you would typically read in the press.This edition is tremendous and features the following: Phil Thompson, Danny Murphy, Michael Owen, Gerard Houllier, Neil Mellor, Didi Hamann, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Jamie Carragher, Rick Parry and Fernando Torres. In addition, Stevie G writes the foreword.The decade of Houllier and Benitez that started with such promise having won a treble in 2000/01. We went on to win a few other trophies, not the least the Champions League on that fabulous night in Istanbul but largely it was a decade where the club underperformed. The decade ended with the club perilously close to extinction due to the Gillett/Hicks disaster. Oh how Dave Moores must regret that decision.I enjoyed each of the profiles but particularly the 2 Spaniards: Alonso and Torres - sharing their passion for LFC and their heartache in leaving. Interestingly, both left feeling unloved and they explain the circumstances around this in some detail. Further, their enjoyment in playing with Stevie G and the great spine of Reina/Carragher/Agger/Alonso/Gerrard/Torres was special to read.Rick Parry's chapter was fascinating especially his thoughts on the Gillett/Hicks debacle and the possibility of other buyers (Robert Kraft anyone?) and his being run out of the club.Having come so close to winning the league a couple of times in the decade and having one of the best teams in Europe in 2008/09 it was interesting to read the various people's thoughts on why we failed to build on the near misses. We spectators only get a snippet of information so being able to gain a few different peoples insights is always useful.Highly recommended for all LFC fans.

Good insightful stories

I was engaged from the off.

Best Liverpool writer out there. Another in-depth and interesting view of a fantastic Liverpool season, with a great interweaving of Liverpool past seasons and history

This book offers great insight about LFC during the first decade of 21st century from various players' (including Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres) point of view. Interview with Gerard Houllier and Rick Parry are also included in the book. I bought this book just to read about Fernando's side of the story (about his leaving the club) and it was deeply satisfying.

A terrific read and if you enjoyed Simon's other books then you'll definitely love this one. He really gets the best out of his interviews and I particularly enjoyed the Torres chapter, helps if you're a Liverpool fan but any football fan would enjoy this.....Buy it and if you like it check out the Anfield Wrap for more excellent football writing

Some golden nuggets from those closest to the club. The Torres interview especially revealing leaving the impression he didn't really want to leave