Liverpool have announced the opening of their new £50million training ground in Kirkby.
The facility includes three full-size pitches, two gyms, a full-size sports hall, pool and specialist sports rehabilitation suites.
A new era begins ✊
Welcome to the @AXA Training Centre... pic.twitter.com/mmu0To8IOK— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 17, 2020
The venue, which will bring the first and under-23 teams together, earned praise from Reds boss Jurgen Klopp who said: “It will improve the process, massively.
“The relationship with the academy, it will be as close as ever and that’s really good.”
Scrapped plans, Salzburg, small details, wide-ranging global research, development and collaboration over more than four years 👊
Sporting director Michael Edwards goes into detail how the @AXA Training Centre was designed...— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 17, 2020
A time capsule has been buried outside the visitors’ entrance to the new facility, and is intended to be opened in 50 years’ time.
The capsule includes shirts, programmes, a special tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, and a pair of Klopp’s glasses.
"It will help the process, it will improve the process, massively. The relationship with the Academy, it will be as close as ever and that’s really good." 🙌
The boss outlines the benefits of bringing together the first-team and Academy at the @AXA Training Centre...Advertisement— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 17, 2020
Liverpool managing director Andy Hughes said: “We started this project over two years ago, marking a significant milestone in the history of this great football club.
“After saying a fond farewell to Melwood last week, we are excited to be start a new era at the club, bringing our first team and academy operations and facilities together on one site for the first time in history.”
