Liverpool have announced the opening of their new £50-million training ground in Kirkby.

The facility includes three full-size pitches, two gyms, a full-size sports hall, pool and specialist sports rehabilitation suites.

The venue, which will bring the first and U23 teams together, earned praise from Reds boss Jurgen Klopp who said: ‘It will improve the process, massively.

‘The relationship with the academy, it will be as close as ever and that’s really good.’

A time capsule has been buried outside the visitors’ entrance to the new facility, and is intended to be opened in 50 years’ time.

The capsule includes shirts, programmes, a special tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, and a pair of Klopp’s glasses.

Liverpool managing director Andy Hughes said: ‘We started this project over two years ago, marking a significant milestone in the history of this great football club.

‘After saying a fond farewell to Melwood last week, we are excited to be start a new era at the club, bringing our first team and academy operations and facilities together on one site for the first time in history.’