Liverpool flag flying high. Photo credit: Liverpool FC Women via Twitter.
Liverpool Football Club have confirmed the purchase of their old training facility Melwood, which will become a state-of-the-art training base for their women’s team.
Melwood was sold in 2019 to housing developer Torus, as Liverpool Men relocated training sites in 2020 to the AXA Training Centre, a £50 million new venue situated in Kirby. Torus have confirmed that the funds of Melwood will go towards providing homes across Merseyside.
Until this summer, Liverpool Women have trained at League Two team Tranmere Rover’s Solar Campus in Wallasey, Birkenhead, as well as sharing their stadium, Prenton Park. Now, they have a place to call their own. The players will move in after pre-season and before the start of the 23/24 WSL season, as further investment into Melwood takes place to transform it into an elite training base and professional games academy.
The training ground will be used by both Liverpool Women and its retrospective academy. Alongside, it will also open for community outreach facilities with the LFC Foundation, as well as providing education to young people through the Fowler Education and Football Academy.
Liverpool Women were historically pioneers in the WSL, having won back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014. Since then, changes in management and departure of big stars has meant that the reds have fallen behind other dominant clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United. They were relegated to the championship in 2020 on a sporting merit basis as Covid meant that the season was declared null and void, before securing promotion ahead of the 22/23 season. Liverpool has had a promising first season back in the WSL, finishing 7th out of 12, especially taking into account their lack of club facilities. This investment will be a huge step in them regaining their status in the league.
Most importantly, the repurchase of Melwood will be critical in attracting, retaining and developing some of the best talent that women’s football has to offer. The elite training base will prove hugely attractive to prospective players, as it sends a much bigger message: the club are on board with the women’s team and are prepared to invest into their side. With 8 players announced to depart this summer, Liverpool will be looking to recruit new talent and Melwood will certainly play a role in this.
In recent years, Liverpool have considered a number of sites for the women’s training facilities, before deciding Melwood as the perfect match. Not only is Melwood a world-class environment, it is also a fundamental part of the club’s history, and being used for around 70 years, has been home to many Liverpool legends such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. Passing over this prestigious base to the women’s side maintains that sense of connectivity to the club but also illustrates how the club now regards the women’s team with that same respect and esteem. This alone will help to raise standards and responsibility of the players, as they represent a club that is so globally and historically established in the football world.
When asked about the move to Melwood, Liverpool Women’s Manager Matt Beard described is as “unbelievable” and “game-changing”, explaining that the facilities there will help the club to progress to the next level. Beard cited that he used to watch training at this “iconic” place when Brendan Rodgers was manager, and so it’s fantastic that it’s now home to the women, adding his gratitude that the club have invested into his side.
Having an elite facility such as Melwood is paramount for clubs in the highest division. Teams are advancing and being invested into season upon season, and clubs either continue to elevate, or decline. For a Liverpool side who have struggled with injury this season, this innovatory training base will give players everything they need to train and recover, helping to maintain a healthy squad. Having a place of their own will also no doubt improve player wellbeing and team morale- being in the city of Liverpool and so close to Anfield will certainly help players feel connected to the club. Even small aspects like Liverpool detailing around the base will make a huge difference- it can’t be very motivating for the reds to be training in a blue Tranmere gym. Melwood will feel much more like home.
Liverpool also announced that they would be removing the ‘Women’ off the Liverpool Women’s crest, in a bid to promote the club’s inclusivity and one-club mentality.
The decision to bring Liverpool Women into Melwood is certainly a sustainable one by the club. This will no doubt elevate current and future players, whilst also showing that the women’s side is valued and invested into. Investing into the academy equally means that they will continue to reap the benefits of this move well into the future.
Liverpool is a perfect example of how much women’s football has progressed and how clubs should be nurturing this growth, not hindering it. Women’s teams are outgrowing their current shared facilities and need a space of their own to belong. They are not second best to any men’s team and shouldn’t be treated as such. They are their own team that are equally deserving of their own training base which will allow them to develop and thrive.
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