Liverpool FC officially confirm training ground redevelopment

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.

Image Credits: Imago Images

Liverpool Football Club has unveiled ambitious plans for a comprehensive redevelopment of their Academy site in Kirkby, marking the most significant transformation of the youth training base since its opening in 1998.

The project, backed by Fenway Sports Group (FSG), will see the construction of a state-of-the-art indoor dome built over the existing main pitch and connected to the current Academy building.

This revolutionary addition will provide Liverpool with their first full-size indoor training facility, addressing a long-standing disadvantage compared to European competitors.

Academy director Alex Inglethorpe described the investment as “a big statement,” explaining the rationale behind the project:

“We’ve never had a full-size indoor facility before that would match up with a lot of our competitors,” he explained.

“While I’m all for toughening them up in the Kirkby wind and rain, there are a lot of days when we have to cancel training or the quality of a session is compromised

It’s going to make a massive difference.”

The whole project will reportedly cost around £20 million to complete.

The redevelopment will also feature enhanced medical and sports science facilities, reflecting the club’s commitment to providing world-class support for young players.

A new grass pitch will replace the current artificial outdoor surface, complete with a 500-capacity spectator stand that will become the centerpiece for Academy matches.

The comprehensive upgrade follows extensive research conducted by FSG technical director Julian Ward, who visited more than 25 clubs across Europe to gather best practices and inspiration for the project.

The skills area design draws particular influence from AS Roma’s academy setup.

“I’ve known Julian for 13 years now and one of the advantages of him coming back is not just his knowledge but the fact he had a deep appreciation of what we do,” added Inglethorpe.

“He’s been a really positive influence and been able to support us in terms of where we felt there were gaps in the infrastructure.”

A planning application was submitted September 2024, with the ambitious goal of completing the entire project by 2028.

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone