Liverpool: An end of an era and the beginning to the next chapter
A moment of silence for Liverpool as they close the doors at Melwood training ground for the final time and start their new journey at the state-of-the-art AXA Training Centre.
On Monday, Liverpool waved goodbye to a place they called home for more than 60-years. They closed the doors to their Melwood training complex in West Derby. The venue served long as the training facilities, housing the legendary Bill Shankly right through to their star of the modern-day, Jurgen Klopp.
But it was the latter’s decision to end their time at the historical location, build a new state-of-the-art complex, and build a new history. Klopp, known for utilising young players, wanted a place where both the youngsters, reserves, and seniors could all train at the same time.
"Liverpool have said a final goodbye to Melwood after their last day at the historic training ground on Monday.The Reds will move to the brand new AXA Training Centre next week after bringing the curtain down on their time in West Derby. Melwood has been Liverpool’s training facility for more than 60 years, dating back to Bill Shankly’s time as manager."
We're delighted to expand our partnership with @AXA to include the naming rights of our new Training Centre in Kirkby 🙌
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 27, 2020
The state-of-the-art facility will be officially known as the @AXA Training Centre and marks our first training complex naming partner.#KnowYouCan | #AXA pic.twitter.com/XYCZtKCgt7
Players, ex-players, staff, and many others who have spent time and had experienced Melwood, paid homage to a place Klopp deemed not easy to leave. The decision of course was a difficult one but the club must look forward and needed an upgrade.
The plan to leave has been in the works for many years. Since the FSG takeover of the Merseyside club, they have not only seen their stock rise in player personnel but also many other aspects of the club.
The one place that was impossible to move from was Anfield. Instead, a makeover was in order with extensions and upgrades to the pitch happening over the last few years and more is expected to develop in the foreseeable future.
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Klopp on the switch from history to the next chapter:
"It’s mixed emotions, 100 per cent. Melwood is such a wonderful place and has played a big part in my life. I was here for five years, even longer. It’s a really special place. But the good thing is a place is only as good as the people in it, and we will take them all. So Kirkby will be a really special place as well.Of course, it would be strange if we would be happy to leave here because too much has happened here, in a good way, for us. We had a really good time here. But that’s life.Things change and you have to adapt to changes and sometimes you are a step ahead of the changes and sometimes you have to follow. Melwood would be still good but would not be good enough in the future. So we try to prepare for the future now.We leave a really good place, and go to an even better one. (Via: liverpoolecho.co.uk)"
Left Melwood for the last time today, thank you for the memories 🔴 #Melwood #YNWA pic.twitter.com/Q1r1ssEZD7
— James Milner (@JamesMilner) November 9, 2020
Liverpool were supposed to move out back June already
The Reds were behind on schedule having only moved over from Melwood to their £50m Kirkby training complex now. But as everything else in this world was affected by the pandemic so was the opening date of the venue.
The initial time frame was set for June but it was pushed back to November. The club has always looked to the future, and with the current first-team set to be changed over the next couple of years, rebuilding is on the horizon.
With Fenway Sports Group and the German at the helm, it’s easy to see the club move one step ahead of their counterparts. History is there to be made and Liverpool will be hoping a rich history begins from the first training session.
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Also, adding to the changes happening to the Merseysiders, they have confirmed Kirkby will be named the AXA Training Centre. The Premier League champions agreed to a deal with the insurance brand that sees them take the naming rights.