Liverpool: CEO Billy Hogan on investment, transition and why FSG isn’t done yet

with Liverpool Stating that they have over 26 million fans in the USA, it’s little wonder why the Reds chose America as the destination for their pre-season tour.

This has been quite a winter for football here and Billy Hogan’s CEO Liverpool And Fenway Sports Group (FSG), insists its aim is to build on that after what has been an “extremely difficult year” for the club “for a number of reasons”.

Hogan is speaking to BBC Sport in New York as Andini Irraola’s side take on Wrexham at the iconic Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night at 19:30 local time, 00:30 BST.

However, for anyone who is excited about a new era on the field, it is the off-field incidents that need to be addressed first.

Last week, FSG, the owner LiverpoolA consortium led by British-Indian millionaire businessman Amit Bhatia has confirmed it is in talks about a strategic minority investment in the club. These talks are ongoing and confidence is growing that an agreement will be reached.

“Look, John Henry (principal owner) and FSG say that if there is an interest in investment that will help the football club, they will consider that. That was said many years ago and it continues here,” Hogan told BBC Sport.

“At this point, I will not say anything other than the statement that the consortium led, managed and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in minority investment.”

Hogan, who has been with FSG since the purchase Liverpool In the year In 2010 for £ 300m, although they are still very committed to the project and the news of this development should not be seen as a sign of the company, the Major League Baseball franchise, Boston Red Sox, is concerned that he should walk away.

According to the Financial Times, a deal with the Bhatti-led alliance would be worth it Liverpool Over £4.5bn.

“There’s still a huge opportunity,” Hogan says. “It’s the biggest and most popular sport in the world and we’re one of the biggest clubs in the biggest league in the biggest sport. So that’s a great place for us to be. The Premier League has a lot of momentum behind it.

“We’re definitely not at the top. We’re in a good place to continue our growth and that’s why from both parts of the club, football and business and whether we hit the ball or not, we’re focused on moving the club forward and winning trophies.”

“On the pitch, our goal every season is to win trophies. Off the pitch, our priority is to maintain overall revenue and expand and build the club.”

“We are very happy with the club’s performance and direction – we were fifth in the Deloitte Football Money League and had the highest revenue in the Premier League (£702m).

“As has been the case since 2010, all that investment will go back into the club. It’s about running the club sustainably.”