Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan joined directors Susan Black and Mike Gordon on the board overseeing the women’s team in September 2020 and has played a key role in buying back Melwood.
He officially opened doors to Melwood for the women this summer, describing it as “fate” that Liverpool should return to a site which has provided them so much success in their men’s team’s history.
“This is a new chapter for the club as the women return to a truly world-class facility,” he said, before adding to manager Beard: “I would like to officially welcome you home.”
Beard hopes it will prove a turning point for his team as they attempt to climb up the WSL table and return to the heights they once enjoyed.
There is a long way to go – Chelsea have had a stranglehold on English football during Emma Hayes’ tenure, while Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have established a formidable and impenetrable top four.
Elsewhere, Brighton and Leicester City have newly built facilities for their women’s teams, while Tottenham are in the process of expanding theirs.
It is starting to become the bare minimum for teams hoping to have success in the WSL but with Liverpool already showing growth on the pitch, their move to Melwood could boost their progress even more.
“It makes such a difference for so many different reasons,” said Beard. “[Training at] Tranmere Rovers was a short-term solution. The club worked really hard to get a training ground and it’s amazing it went full circle and ended up being Melwood.
“It’s game-changing for us. Now we have two fantastic pitches and everything the girls need from nutrition to recovery. Everything is there for us.
“If you look at Melwood – the players who played for Liverpool; the managers who managed Liverpool and the great history – [the women] can now create their own history. It really gives us the platform to be successful.”