A Formby house has been home to three famous people
Victoria Road mansion has been home to three famous Liverpool FC employees over the last decade
Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp has been renting the Formby mansion Brendan Rodgers bought from Steven Gerrard.
The current reds' manager has been spotted in the village, and in the nearby Freshfield pub since moving into the exclusive property before Christmas.
Rodgers, who bought the house out right from former reds' captain Steven Gerrard, now lets the house to Klopp. The multi-million pound house has a market rental value of several thousands per month, and rents can go up to £12,000 per month on Victoria Road.
Klopp, who won back to back league titles with Borussia Dortumund in Germany, was appointed Liverpool manager shortly after Rodgers' departure last year. The two men have both spoken highly of each other in the past and enjoy a good relationship.
Steven Gerrard bought the house in 2005. The seven bedroom property was built by a Formby based property developer. It was the biggest house to be built in Formby for 90 years, and boasted seven-bedrooms, three living rooms, a home cinema, an indoor swimming pool and a landscaped garden.
In 2008 Gerrard built a state-of-art gym at the bottom of the home's garden. Neighbours complained the modern design was not in keeping with homes in the surrounding area and 25 people signed a petition calling for the plans to be thrown out.
At the time Gerrard’s architect, David Dickerson of DK Architects, said the pavilion would feature hand worked copper panels and large expanses of frameless glazing, giving uninterrupted views through and across the pavilion.
He said: “The pavilion has been conceived as a glass box sat within the grounds of our client’s house, and is situated within a stunning and integrated landscaping proposal, with elements such as free standing bronze walls and beautiful water features, which tie the proposed pavilion back into the main house.”
Sefton Council approved the plans the gym was built. Last year Gerrard decided to sell up after announcing his decision to move on from Anfield and play professional football in Los Angeles.
Former Everton stars Duncan Ferguson and Wayne Rooney were two of the first big name Premiership stars to move to Victoria Road. An 18-year-old Rooney bought his whopper for £900,000 in 2004.
Builders soon began excavating the land next door, as they began work on the multi-million pound home that Gerrard would move into.
Match of the day pundit Alan Shearer and former reds' hard man Neil 'Razor' Ruddock also lived on the road. In recent more recent years a younger generation of Liverpool FC players have arrived in the area.
Victoria Road was built in the late 19th century following the construction of Freshfield station. Landowner Charles Weld-Blundell wanted to build a seaside development, with a tramway connection at Freshfield station. By 1892 the road reached up to Larkhill Lane.
Today Victoria Road is one of Merseyside's elite addresses, with a clutch of multi-million pound homes. The road features an eclectic mix of sprawling period properties and new, designers homes fitted with cutting edge technology. Victoria Road leads down to Formby Point, famous for a stunning beach and scenic pine wood trail which is home to Formby's famous red squirrel community.
Story source: Southport Visiter by Tom Duffy
