Steven Gerrard is hoping his new book will provide fans with a unique insight into the career of one of Liverpool Football Club's greatest-ever players -– both good and bad.
"My Liverpool Story" was released on Monday and rather than being your typical autobiography, it's a glossy pictorial look back over the captain's Anfield career featuring over 150 colour snaps and candid commentary from the man himself.
And though Gerrard's glittering career is littered with more highs than lows, the 32-year-old doesn't hold back with his thoughts on some of the more frustrating moments of his 593 games in the Reds' first team.
"I hope fans will get basically the same as what I got from putting the book together — a reminder of when I made my debut in 1998 and the highs and lows I've been through in my career," he explained.
"We've had some unbelievable nights out on the pitch and we've had some bad ones as well. It's a recap of my career in general.
"The book is not just about all the good things — it's also a reminder of some of the bad things as well. As a player, you learn more and become a better player from the bad things rather than the good things. I found it an interesting read — even though it's about myself — and I hope the supporters agree with that.
"I hope they get to know the real me. The fans know me well now and that I try to speak as little as possible — I don't want to be busy in the papers all the time — but when I speak I try to speak honestly, try to be realistic, and I think they appreciate that. That's what I've done in the book. I've tried to be honest and given [the fans] things that maybe they don't know."
Naturally, moments such as the treble-winning success of 2001, the glory of Istanbul, heroics in the Cardiff FA Cup final and the countless match-winning performances he's delivered over the past 14 years all feature prominently in "My Liverpool Story".
However, Gerrard pulls no punches when reflecting on disappointments such as Athens 2007, off-the-pitch issues and the Premier League winners' medal that has so far eluded him.
"The hardest part about making the book was talking about the moments where I've had frustration and missed out on the big trophies," he confessed.
"I've talked about not having a Premier League winners' medal. There have been seasons when we've come really close to winning the league, but at home we've come up against teams that if we'd played well enough we'd have won those games and go on to win it [the league]. They were difficult times. Talking about Hillsborough again was a difficult part of the book, and things that I don't really like talking about.
"99 percent of the time, one of my problems is I'm too honest and realistic, and give the media and people a little bit too much. But I just don't see the point in doing a book and asking people to buy it and read it if I'm not going to be honest. It's one of the things I try to do every time I speak."
"My Liverpool Story" is Gerrard's second book, following the release of his autobiography in 2006.
The skipper admits he was keen to do something slightly different and create a keepsake for family, friends and fans alike.
"This offer was slightly different," he said. "I'd already done an autobiography, so the last thing I wanted to do was something similar to that and basically repeat what is in the first book — I don't think it's fair for people to go out and buy stuff they've already read.
"This book is different in that it's more of a picture book — pictures that bring back memories of my career, good and bad. I enjoyed looking back and there were a lot of things that came up in the book meetings that I'd forgotten about, so it was really enjoyable.
"I had a couple of weeks to think about the book before I decided to do it. I'm at the age now where I haven't got long left in my career, and for the likes of my mum, dad and people who have supported me since day one, this book is like a souvenir to them as well.
"It won't be long before I hang my boots up and they've got something there they can cherish, look back on and be proud of me, so that was one of the reasons I did it."
"You're not really sure how it's going to turn out — you're a bit nervous and a bit edgy that it is going to go a bit wrong and people are not going to like it, but now I've seen the finished article I'm quite confident people are going to like it," he concluded.
