Klopp holds first training session at new AXA facility after Melwood exit

Jurgen Klopp watched on with a keen eye on Tuesday as Liverpool undertook their first ever training session at their new, state-of-the-art base.

A new era is now being ushered in after the reigning Premier League champions closed the doors of their Melwood facilities for the final time, before making the short trip over to Kirkby.

Klopp led his squad into the plush new AXA Training Centre, before giving a speech to the players on the pristine new pitches and then getting straight down to work.

The German manager was only able to oversee a section of his troops, due to many still being away on international duty.

Vice captain James Milner was present to lead by example throughout the session, while Klopp also got time to focus on the club's young defenders amid a mounting injury crisis.

A picturesque golden sky began to set over the facility as the senior Liverpool squad took to the pitches for the evening session, with floodlights quickly bursting into life.

The club has spent over £50million in making the new training centre a possibility, as Liverpool look to kick on from the rapid progress in recent years which has seen Klopp's men become both Champions League and Premier League winners.

Players were put through their paces ahead of a return to domestic action on Sunday, when Liverpool will go up against former manager Brendan Rodgers and his Leicester City team.

Klopp kept a keen eye on proceedings, as the players went through a variety of warm-up exercise and possession-based drills before splitting into small-sided matches.

The senior stars will now train by the academy hopefuls at the new centre, with Liverpool stating that this will help to show the pathway to stardom available to those youngsters who seize their opportunities.

As revealed by Sportsmail earlier in the week, the 9,200sqm AXA Training Centre boasts an array of stunning additions, including beach volleyball courts, a Hydroworx pool, an altitude training chamber and a fully stocked gym which is three times bigger than the previous one at Melwood.

Inside the building, Liverpool have built a huge changing room where the players can unwind, placing a large sofa in the middle so they can lounge about before and after training.

With the altitude chamber, players can train in 40 degree heat, 90% humidity and low oxygen levels.

The reigning champions have also paid tribute to Van Dijk by naming a bollard in his name outside the entrance, while a door leading to the senior changing room has also been named in a light-hearted manner after James Milner.

Klopp's office, meanwhile, has a balcony that overlooks the training pitches allowing the German to keep a constant eye on the action whenever he wants, across all age groups.

The project began 722 days ago and was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, though work was able to be pushed through to completion meaning Liverpool could still move mid-season.

At present the Reds sit third in the Premier League table with 17 points from eight matches played.

Sunday's opponents Leicester top the table on 18 points, having won six and lost two from eight.