NewsLFC plans to undertake major redevelopment of Academy site

The current main pitch at the Reds’ youth base will be built over with a dome - attached to the existing Academy building - that is set to provide a first ever full-size indoor pitch for use.

A new grass pitch will be created in the outdoor area and feature a stand capable of holding up to 500 spectators, becoming the new external centrepiece for matches played there.

The forthcoming redevelopments will also include revamped and improved medical and sports science functions to aid in the progress of the club’s younger age groups.

LFC will submit a planning application in due course, with a target of 2028 for the completion of the works.

Academy director Alex Inglethorpe said of the project: “It’s a big statement.

“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. 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.”

This phase of redevelopment follows a number of additions that have already been implemented at the Academy.

There are now cages designed specifically for small-sided matches, an athletic development area, a skills area, and a padbol court for the popular game that fuses football, tennis, volleyball and squash.

New floodlights have also been installed to ensure that pitches across the site can be used at later times of day throughout the year.

“We’re already reaping the benefits of the changes made this summer,” said Inglethorpe, who has been part of the Reds’ youth set-up since 2012. “It’s important for the boys and their families to see that investment.

“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. The padbol court is being well used and it’s the same with the cages.”

The future redevelopments were formed from extensive research carried out across Europe, with Julian Ward - Fenway Sports Group’s technical director - visiting more than 25 clubs to gather information and best practices.

Plans were then drawn up for what will be the most significant overhaul of the Academy since its opening in 1998.

“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.

“The bar is set so high now. You only have to look at squad composition now compared to 10 years ago. It’s unrecognisable in terms of quality and depth, so the challenges become greater for the Academy, but it’s something we relish.

“The mission statement is to get boys into the first team who are capable of competing for the biggest trophies. This investment will undoubtedly help us with that.”