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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Liverpool in talks over Melwood purchase as major move planned for women's team

Liverpool are in talks over repurchasing the iconic Melwood training ground to use for their women's team.

The club agreed a sale of the famous base in 2019, selling to affordable housing trust Torus for an undisclosed fee ahead of a move to a £50m venue in Kirkby, which was later named the 'AXA Training Centre'.

However, barely two years after they vacated their home of five decades, the club are now in discussions to regain part of Melwood to use for their women's team, who don't train at the same venue as the men's side.

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Liverpool Women currently prepare at Tranmere Rovers' 'the Campus' facility on Leasowe Road, Wallasey and the ECHO understands the club have now approached Torus over a possible sale to re-house their women's team.

A statement from Liverpool on Tuesday confirmed they are continuing to assess the best options available as they look to find the best site for Matt Beard and his squad, who currently sit ninth in the 12-team league with eight points from 10 games.

A club spokesperson said: "Liverpool FC is continuing to evaluate a number of sites for a possible new training ground for LFC Women. The project team has not yet made a final decision on a preferred site but will update supporters as soon as it is possible to do so."

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher teased the details on Tuesday's transfer deadline day, tweeting: "Breaking News! Liverpool have made an approach & are trying to buy back Melwood for LFC Women’s Team!"

Liverpool said the decision to leave Melwood was taken "with a heavy heart" back in 2020 and while a return to such a historic, beloved base would have a certain romanticism to it, it is believed talks are not yet at an advanced stage.

Melwood was taken over by Carragher and fellow Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler in 2021 alongside Torus and is currently home to the Fowler Education Football Academy, which moved from its initial Wavertree home to the West Derby grounds.

Meanwhile, Liverpool Women confirmed the loan signing of Natasha Dowie from Reading on deadline day, with the striker providing cover for an injury-hit squad ahead of Sunday's visit from the Royals.

Dowie became the fifth signing of the January window for the Reds as she followed Gemma Bonner, Sofie Lundgaard, Fuka Nagano and Miri Taylor into the club.

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