Liverpool have announced plans to build a new £50 million training facility which will integrate the youth academy with the first team. In an effort to make the progression from academy to senior side smoother, the club would regenerate the existing Kirkby academy. The new high tech facility will see the Reds move away from their traditional training ground Melwood for the first time since the 1950s.
Plans have been submitted and if granted work is set to begin in 2018 to be operational for the preseason before the 2019/20 campaign. It has been something which has been discussed at the club since 2013 when they launched a feasibility study to check if it would be possible. It is understood that an agreement has been reached between Liverpool and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council about the amount of work and funding. The club intend to expand the existing Kirkby site to around 60 acres and will use the same architects as have designed the new Main Stand at Anfield. London based firm KSS have already designed Tottenham’s new academy which was opened in 2012 and houses their senior side and academy.
This move will likely make boss Jurgen Klopp happy as he looks to change the club off the pitch as well as on it. Klopp is known for focussing on young player development but finds it difficult to see the youth side. The current distance between the two facilities is thought to disgruntle the manager as he does not have time to see the youth academy. It could be an inspiration to for the young players to be training in the same place as the first team, seeing the stars day to day and give them something to aim for. It is another step forward for the team and shows that the board are backing the current manager and his vision to improve all aspects of the club.
