The Reds’ move back to Melwood is more than simply a change of scenery for Matt Beard’s squad; it’s also a declaration of intent from a side that knows all too well what it means to fall behind those around them.
The Reds had to play two seasons in the Championship after being demoted at the end of 2019–20 before returning to the WSL’s heights. Beard’s entrance at that time was significant, as things off the field gradually but definitely started to come together.
While most newly promoted teams are severely impacted by the WSL’s level of competition and frequently struggle in a higher division, Liverpool managed to finish comfortably in the middle of the pack last season and, for the most part, avoided any talk of relegation.
But for a team that should be contending for major awards every season, safety can only be the start. This week marked a significant step in the right direction for the team.
Before they completed the transfer to the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby in 2020, Liverpool had been using Melwood as their training facility for more than 70 years. However, it was former Reds Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher who used the location for their academy after the headquarters in West Derby was sold to social housing developer Torus.
It was announced in June of this year that the club would reclaim the keys to Melwood after repurchasing the property for an estimated £13 million. It has now been renovated to become a top-notch training facility for the women’s squad.
The Reds and Tranmere Rovers had been sharing space at the Solar Campus on the Wirral, but the statement made earlier this summer signaled the conclusion of a protracted hunt for a new base Beard’s team could call home.
With only a few weeks left until the start of the new WSL season on October 1st, Liverpool is prepared to move from the AXA, where they spent the majority of the preseason as construction on Melwood began. The facility was officially opened earlier this week, and as the players entered the building for the first time, they were greeted by a guard of honor.
