Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan is set to fly out to the States this week to meet with Reds owners Fenway Sports Group, with the topic of the next sporting director and Jurgen Klopp replacement surely on the agenda.

Hogan celebrated his birthday in the capital on Saturday night as Liverpool threw him a party at the Ham Yard Hotel in central London. 

Klopp and other members of the football staff were unable to attend due to the following day’s final but it was said to be a fun bash regardless.

Whoever that new manager is will likely play their first games as Liverpool boss in the States, too, as the Reds last week announced they will go to Philadelphia and Columbia, South Carolina for two pre-season friendlies in late July and early August.

Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan has flown to the US for key talks with Liverpool’s owners

Discussing potential replacements for Jurgen Klopp is set to be high on the agenda

Liverpool and Chelsea’s Hilton Hotel battle

Chelsea thought they had gained an advantage over Liverpool before the Carabao Cup final – when they usurped the Reds with a big-money bid to secure the Hilton Hotel at Wembley before the showpiece match.

The Hilton, which would have been Liverpool’s favourite hotel given they stayed there for both the Carabao and FA Cup finals in 2022, is seen as the premium lodging place before big finals due to its luxury facilities and extra space.

But Chelsea recognised this in advance and swooped before Liverpool to book out the luxury hotel, which also welcomes corporate guests and fans. It has indoor swimming and spa facilities, plus meeting rooms where Mauricio Pochettino could speak to his players and staff.

Liverpool ended up staying at the less-luxury Novotel hotel and, although they did not get their preferred night’s stay, still toppled Chelsea. The advantage of the Novotel was that the Reds could book the entire place out so they were not distracted by other guests mulling around.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea won the race to book the Hilton Hotel, but lost out to Liverpool on the pitch on Sunday

Keeping Kelleher a masterstroke 

Liverpool did not make any signings in the January transfer window but perhaps their most shrewd piece of business was to rebuff attempts from clubs to sign Caoimhin Kelleher, the stand-in goalkeeper who put in a near-perfect display in the Carabao Cup final.

Irish keeper Kelleher was very high on Nottingham Forest’s shortlist in the January window and the Midlands club, who Liverpool play on Saturday, are expected to continue their interest in the summer window.

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is said to be a huge admirer of Kelleher and told Forest that he should be their No 1 priority in January. But a £15million bid was turned down with Liverpool wanting a fee north of £25m, with that price only going one way.

Kelleher made several key stops in the final, including a point-blank save to thwart Cole Palmer in the first half and another to smother the ball from Conor Gallagher towards the end of regulation time.

Forest tried twice to tempt Liverpool to sell Kelleher in the final days of the January window but the Premier League leaders did not even entertain a discussion. The Reds knew they needed a quality No 2 and their decision has been vindicated now.

Celtic are also very keen on Kelleher and that desire has only stepped up since Joe Hart’s announcement he will retire at the end of the season – but it is very unlikely the Scottish champions will be able to afford the Irishman’s ever-rising transfer value.

Keeping Caoimhin Kelleher has proved to be a masterstroke from Liverpool

Proud dads cheer on Liverpool heroes

The father of Luis Diaz is turning into somewhat of a cult hero among Liverpool’s fans, with the Colombian, who was kidnapped last year and held hostage for nearly a fortnight, often posing for pictures with the travelling Kop including on trains back north from Wembley.

Another proud dad mixing in with regular fans on Sunday was Lee Clark, father of Liverpool youngster Bobby who played a pivotal role in the Reds’ triumph. Clark Sr, who played 265 times for Newcastle, was spotted in tears of pride at full-time.

Clark was said to be instrumental in his son’s move to Liverpool after a slight disagreement with Newcastle and has been awestruck by Klopp’s man management and coaching of the young midfielder.

Mail Sport believes Derby County and Bristol City were two clubs who made pitches to sign Clark on loan in January – with the Rams also having an offer rejected in the summer – but Klopp was adamant that he would not allow the 19-year-old to depart.

The German boss told Clark he was now part of his regular first-team plans and his decision to stay on Merseyside has paid dividends now. As well as the Carabao Cup final, Clark featured off the bench in the semi-final at Fulham, plus an FA Cup tie against Arsenal.

He is set to make his full debut on Wednesday against Southampton in the FA Cup. There will also likely be starts for impressive youngsters such as James McConnell, with Trey Nyoni, an unused substitute at Wembley, also in line to make his debut for the club.

Luis Diaz’s dad (centre) was the heart of the post-match celebrations on Sunday

Fowler set for big move

The theme of the week have been footballers with famous dads playing for Liverpool and, following a similar pattern, the son of Robbie Fowler is set to get a big move in the coming months.

Jacob Fowler, who plays for Oxford United, will not join Liverpool but it is understood Championship side Blackburn Rovers are keeping a close eye on him and could make a bid to sign the 18-year-old midfielder.

Liverpool could unearth another gem 

Given the success of Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah this season after loans in League One last year at Bolton and Bristol Rovers respectively, young defender Luke Chambers could be next to make a case for first-team minutes in the future after an impressive stint away.

Chambers, who spent last season at Kilmarnock and earned rave reviews as being a ‘diamond of a boy’ and the best loanee boss Derek McIness had ever worked with, is now at Wigan in the third tier and putting in some eye-catching displays.

In Friday’s draw with Cheltenham, Chambers created the most chances in the game, completed more dribbles and won more tackles than any player on the pitch. The youngster has predominantly played at left back when featuring for Liverpool but is inverting as a left-sided centre back in a three-man defence for the Latics.

Luke Chambers is flourishing on loan at Wigan, and could get a chance at Liverpool next year

Kirkby Kids

The knock-on effect of Liverpool’s youngsters’ success in the first team is that Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s Under 18s side will be without several key men for Thursday’s trip to Leeds in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final.

Three players who were in the squad for the Carabao Cup final win played in the last round of the Youth Cup and will likely be needed again in the first-team’s FA Cup tie on Wednesday, meaning Bridge-Wilkinson’s youngsters will have to change things around at Elland Road.

If Liverpool do beat Leeds on Thursday, they will play Millwall in the semi-final. The Under 21s are back in action this Sunday against Aston Villa.

Women’s watch

Missy Bo Kearns sped off from the end of England training on Sunday to watch Liverpool’s Cup final. The Lionesses Under 23s captain will play in a game today against Netherlands in a camp in Marbella, Spain.

Liverpool’s Women travel to Walsall’s Bescot Stadium on Sunday to play against Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League. Matt Beard’s side are fifth in the table after 14 games after Ceri Holland’s goal helped beat Brighton in the last match.

Missy Bo Kearns (pictured) made sure she didn’t miss Liverpool’s Carabao Cup triumph