After 70 years, Liverpool bid farewell to historic Melwood training ground – in pictures

Jurgen Klopp's team will move to state-of-the-art AXA Training Centre in Kirkby

Liverpool are bidding farewell to the historic Melwood training ground. AFP

Liverpool are moving away from the Melwood training ground to AXA Training Centre in Kirkby. Reuters

Liverpool's midfielder Mohamed Salah takes part in a training session at the Melwood training ground in Liverpool in 2019. AFP

Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson train at the Melwood training ground. AFP

Roberto Firmino trains with his Liverpool teammates in 2016. Getty

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho, Jon Flanagan and Alberto Moreno during training at Melwood in 2017. Reuters

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson took to Twitter to bid goodbye to the Melwood training complex. AFP

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andy Robertson, Adam Lallana, Neco Williams and Trent Alexander-Arnold at Melwood training ground. Getty

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp at Melwood ahead of the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham. EPA

Liverpool's James Milner and Dejan Lovren during training at Melwood. Reuters

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said it was an emotional moment moving away from Melwood. Reuters

Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana of Liverpool at Melwood training ground. Getty

Simon Mignolet at Melwood in 2016. Getty

Jurgen Klopp and his Adam Lallana at Melwood in 2016. EPA

Liverpool player Dejan Lovren attends a training session at Melwood training facility in 2016. EPA

Manager Jurgen Klopp bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool's historic Melwood training ground on Tuesday as the Premier League champions prepare to move into a new headquarters.

Melwood has been the club's base for more than 70 years, with many of Liverpool's greatest players polishing their skills on the training pitches.

But, unable to develop the site any further, the Reds will move the first team into the new £50 million ($66 million) AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, on the outskirts of Liverpool, next week.

Their new 9,200-square-metre training base is a state-of-the-art facility including three pitches, an indoor sports hall, two gyms, a swimming pool, hydrotherapy and sports rehabilitation facilities.

Melwood was sold last year to a company who will build homes on the site. Klopp and his coaching staff were on site to close the gates on one of football's most famous training grounds.

"Mixed emotions, really mixed emotions. I am happy about going to Kirkby and very sad about leaving Melwood, to be honest," Klopp told Liverpool's website.

"So, it's strange; I didn't think properly about it so far, but my PA is obviously already moving all my stuff out of my office so I realised step-by-step that the place already looks different.

"I will miss it, but that's how it should be. Melwood was really good, it was important – an important place in my life, so I will miss it. But Kirkby will be great."

Liverpool had initially planned to move during pre-season, only for the switch to be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Like Anfield's old "Boot Room", Melwood has been an iconic part of the Liverpool story since it was transformed in the 1950s by former boss Bill Shankly.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson took to Twitter to post several black-and-white pictures of himself on his last day at Melwood alongside the caption: "One last time..."

Jamie Carragher, Liverpool's second-highest appearance maker, said on social media: "Melwood gone but not forgotten!", while 2005 Champions League winner Gerrard shared a one-word tribute on Instagram, as he posted a picture of the Melwood sign with the caption: 'Memories'.