Liverpool have bid an emotional farewell to their Melwood training ground.
Tuesday marked the official handover of the Reds’ long-standing base to developers Torus, who will convert the land into affordable housing.
Jurgen Klopp’s side trained for a final time at the facility in West Derby last weekend on the eve of their eventual 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
A host of Anfield icons reflected on the departure from Melwood, which had served the club since 1950, for the £50 million AXA Training Centre in Kirkby.
“The name ‘Melwood’ has become equally synonymous with Liverpool Football Club as that of Anfield,” said Ian Callaghan.
“This fact alone says so much about the contribution the training ground has made to the club’s development over the past seven decades, during which time Melwood became the very ‘nerve centre’ of the first team.
“It evokes such fond memories for all the former players who have passed through its doors but also for the fans.
“Whilst it’s a bittersweet day for the club, we will always look back on Melwood with fondness and respect.”
Robbie Fowler penned a heartfelt poem to the complex where he first broke into Liverpool’s first-team and subsequently returned in during the mid-2000s.
Liverpool’s managing director Andy Hughes said: “When the famous sliding gate closes for the last time, it will mark the ending of an era for the club.
“It’s been over two years since we started this journey and we’d like to thank everyone who has been involved, particularly local residents in West Derby for their patience during this process.
“It is with heavy heart that we bid a fond farewell to Melwood, our training base for the last 70 years.
“However, it will always be ingrained in the rich tapestry of the club.
“For many it will be strange not to use this familiar word when referring to the first-team base.
“But the new AXA Training Centre is world-class and will soon start to create many more chapters of success.”