'Change is inevitable' - Liverpool CEO on FSG, Iraola and consortium talks

With Liverpool stating that they have more than 26 million supporters in the USA, there is little surprise over why the Reds chose America as the destination for their pre-season tour.

This has been quite the summer for football here and Billy Hogan, CEO of Liverpool and Fenway Sports Group (FSG), insists the aim is to build on that after what has been a "super difficult year" for the club "for lots of different reasons."

Hogan is speaking to BBC Sport in New York ahead of Andoni Iraola's side taking on Wrexham at the famous Yankee Stadium on Wednesday evening at 19:30 local time, 00:30 BST.

However, for all the excitement around a new era on the pitch, it is events off the pitch that must be addressed first.

Last week, FSG, which owns Liverpool, confirmed that a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, a British-Indian millionaire businessman, was in talks over a strategic minority investment in the club. Those talks have been ongoing and there is a growing belief that a deal will be done.

"Look, John Henry (the principal owner) and FSG have always said that if there was an interest in an investment that would help the football club, then they would consider it. That was said many years ago and that remains the case here," Hogan tells BBC Sport.

"At this point, I wouldn't say anything different to the statement that a consortium led, managed and represented by Amit Bhatia has come forward and expressed an interest in a minority investment."

Hogan, who has been with FSG since they purchased Liverpool for £300m in 2010, does stress though that they are still very much committed to the project and that news of this development should not be seen as a sign of the company, which also owns the Major League Baseball franchise, Boston Red Sox, stepping away.

According to the Financial Times, a deal with the consortium led by Bhatia would value Liverpool at more than £4.5bn.

"There's a huge opportunity still," Hogan says. "This is 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 in the world. So that's a great place for us to be. The Premier League has a tremendous amount of momentum behind it.

"We've definitely not peaked. We're in a good place to continue to grow and that's why everyone across both sides of the club, football and business and whether they kick a ball or not, is focused on driving the club forward and winning trophies.

"On the pitch, our goal every season is to win trophies. Off the pitch, our priority is to continue driving overall revenues and expand and build the club.

"We're really happy with the trajectory and direction of the club - we were fifth in the Deloitte Football Money League and had the highest revenue (£702m) in the Premier League.

"All of that investment, as has always been the case since 2010, goes back into the club. It's about running the club sustainably."

Who is potential investor Bhatia?

Consortium in talks to buy Liverpool minority stake

'There's transition but we are in a healthy place'

After a record summer spend last season of £450m, Liverpool were disappointing on the pitch.

Ultimately, that led to the sacking of Arne Slot at the end of the campaign. Senior players like Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left on free transfers too.

It has been a summer of change at Liverpool with Michael Edwards stepping down as FSG's CEO of football, primarily because plans of multi-club ownership were abandoned.

Meanwhile, Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, is linked with a move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. There is certainly a question of stability.

"Transition and change is inevitable in football. In our case, with a new coach coming in, there's real excitement around Andoni's mindset and philosophy that supporters will really enjoy," says Hogan.

"That will take time but in terms of transition, I would send a message that we are in a very healthy place as a football club - the leadership from ownership is in a very steady place and we're looking forward to the next season and the season ahead."

Hogan insists that regardless of the personnel changes, the club model remains the same and they will continue to stick to their principles.

"It's important to keep in mind that last season, a considerable amount was invested but also generated in terms of sales of players going out," he says. "Over the course of FSG's stewardship, the investment has always been focused on doing what's best to put us in a place to win.