Liverpool preparing planning permission to begin major redevelopment as FSG set to reach £260m mark

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

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) General view of the Academy Building during the PL2 game at the Kirkby Academy on April 6, 2019 in Liverpool, England.

(Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool are preparing to submit planning application for a £20m refurbishment of their Kirkby Academy, with director Alex Inglethorpe labelling the move as "a big statement".

It represents the biggest single investment in the base since it opened back in 1998, with the long-serving Inglethorpe talking up his excitement ahead of the plans formally beginning.

An indoor dome is set to be built over the main pitch, while a brand new one will be created with a stand capable of hosting 500 spectators.

The plans will also include a redevelopment of the medical and sports science functions.

READ MORE:Andy Robertson opens up on Diogo Jota death as Liverpool vice-captain makes leadership admissionREAD MORE:Newcastle star opens up on Alexander Isak decision to make £125m Liverpool transfer - 'we all think'

Julian Ward, who is the technical director of owners Fenway Sports Group, is said to have visited up to 25 other clubs in an effort to map out what could be possible at the Kirkby facility and Inglethorpe, who has been at the club since 2012, revealed more about the development project, which is hoped will be complete by 2028.

“It’s a big statement," Inglethorpe told The Athletic.

“The owners have embarked on a number of infrastructure projects in recent years with the redevelopment of the two stands at Anfield, building the AXA Training Centre to put us all on one site here at Kirkby, and giving Melwood a facelift for the women’s team to go there.

“We’ve always been patient as an academy, knowing where we sit in the order of things, but now it’s our turn and it’s really exciting.

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

It’s going to make a massive difference.”

The £20m proposal is the latest infrastructure project by owners FSG, who oversaw the building of the £50m AXA Training Centre that was officially opened five years ago.

In late 2023, Liverpool completed their £80m redevelopment of the Anfield Road end of their iconic stadium, which followed on from the increase of capacity of the £110m Main Stand, which was signed off in September 2016.

Article continues below

It means FSG have committed to around £260m on building work on club property during their near 15 years as owners, dating back to their October 2010 arrival, when they were known as New England Sports Ventures.

“We’re already reaping the benefits of the changes made this summer,” Inglethorpe added.

We’re constantly trying to evaluate and innovate.

"The boys are here from six years of age, four times a week - you can’t lose that magic, you have to find new ways of them really wanting to be here.