TA: Liverpool spends 20 million pounds to rebuild youth training base to create a full-size indoor stadium

The Athletic reported that Liverpool will spend £20 million to rebuild the youth training camp and create a full-size indoor stadium.

Liverpool plans to carry out £20 million reconstruction of its youth training camp, the largest renovation since the opening of the youth training base in 1998. Fenway Sports Group believes that this move is a recognition of the great contribution of the youth training camp to the club's success in recent years.

The new indoor dome will be built on the existing main course and connected to the existing youth building, which will be fully renovated in Kirby. The dome will provide Liverpool with its first full-size indoor stadium and will enhance medical and sports science facilities. The outdoor artificial turf will be replaced by natural turf, becoming a new central venue and equipped with a new stand that can accommodate about 500 spectators. Planning applications are expected to be submitted this month, and Liverpool hopes the project will be completed in 2028.

FSG Technical Director Julian Ward visited more than 25 clubs in Europe to collect information before formulating the plan. The main construction work is considered the second phase, with the first phase completed this summer, with approximately £2 million investing in upgrading existing facilities, including a small field training cage, a physical development zone called the "Garden", Pador Stadium and a skill training zone inspired by Rome. All academy courts have new floodlights installed for use at night.

Over the past five years, Liverpool has earned more than £200 million by selling players who have participated in youth competitions on behalf of the club. This summer alone, they made about £100 million through transfers from Arnold (Real Madrid), Kelleh (Brentford), Nat Phillips (West Brown), Jarrell Kunsa (Bayer Leverkusen), Taylor Morton (Lyon) and Ben Dock (Bornemouth). Elliott was only 16 years old when he joined Fulham for £4.3 million. He joined Aston Villa on loan on the deadline and will force a buyout for £35 million next summer.

This is a key part of the FSG self-sufficiency business model, and all earnings will be reinvested. Given that Kirby's youth camp's annual operating costs are about £11 million, this revenue is enough to cover the cost.

data shows that during the Premier League last season, youth training products (defined as players who play for clubs at the youth level) account for 18% of the total league playing time. This percentage is higher than any other top club, with Manchester United (16.3%) in second place and Chelsea (14.5%) in third place.

Earlier this year, sports intelligence consulting firm Twenty First Group calculated that Arnold saved Liverpool about £145 million in nine first-team seasons, mainly based on his contribution and the potential cost of buying and retaining top right-backs over that time.

The new indoor dome will be put into use before the new home stadium is completed, so the Liverpool U21 team needs to find a temporary home for their Premier League Division II. Similarly, U19 teams participating in the European Youth League also need temporary venues. The Totally Wicked Stadium at St. Helens Rugby Club is one of the alternatives.

In addition to players like Alexander Arnold, Jones and Kwansa who have grown up through the youth training system, Liverpool will also bring in players from other places to fill the gap. Ngumoha is a good example, who joined Liverpool from Chelsea last summer. The 16-year-old winger recently scored a winning goal in his Premier League debut against Newcastle United, becoming the youngest goalkeeper in club history.

Liverpool's U21 team has now become the focus of the first team, and more importantly, the development of players. Many young players were loaned out, weakening the U21 team's strength, but also giving many excellent U18 players a chance to improve.

Former Liverpool Sports Director Ward has been overseeing the work of the academy camp since returning to the position of FSG technical director in May 2024 and has played a key role in promoting a £20 million reconstruction project.

(Liverpool youth training sales this summer, amount/GBP)

source:7m vn1