Jurgen Klopp has discussed plans to redevelop Liverpool’s Kirkby academy facility into an all-purpose training ground that will “set standards.”
The club confirmed plans to merge their first-team and youth training facilities earlier this week, with the new site set to build on the current academy setup.
This £50 million project will see Liverpool leave their Melwood ground in West Derby for the first time since the 1950s, marking a historical change.
But speaking at his press conference on Friday afternoon, Klopp highlighted this change as a necessary one, allowing the Reds to compete with their rivals.
“I love Melwood, but football changes and everything will be bigger. We cannot avoid this,” he said.
“We can’t stay like we always were and hope you can cope with the other teams. Sometimes you have to set standards.
“It’s really good our owners give us the opportunity to make this big step into the future.
“Twenty-five years ago Melwood set the level, but in these 25 years some things happened.”
Continuing to explain the differences a new combined facility will make, Klopp underlined them as fundamental to the club continuing to grow and build for success.
“If we [want] one more office, we don’t know where to go, that’s the situation [at Melwood],” he added.
“One point is bringing the academy and first team together, and to improve a lot of things we can’t improve here, that’s another point.
“It’s only good for the future of the club. I really believe infrastructure keeps responsibility up, and helps.
“If we stayed here another 25 years, it would not be good for the club.”
Much like Klopp’s words on the appointment of a sporting director recently, the manager is again looking at the best interests of the football club, helping to build an infrastructure that will help the club prosper long-term.
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