At the start of the season, FA Cup holders Liverpool would have been hoping it was them — not Manchester United and Manchester City — who was competing in the same competition a year on from Jürgen Klopp's side beating Chelsea at Wembley.
Instead, Liverpool's players are on holiday, enjoying some time off or preparing for international duty in a couple of weeks, recharging after a season that did not go to plan.
It was Manchester City that won the FA Cup, with its matchwinning hero İlkay Gündoğan offering an update on his future post-match, but there is news of transfer activity for the defeated finalists as well.
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Liverpool will be keeping an eye on both situations for different reasons, with the Reds hoping to see a key player leave the Etihad Stadium and a player that they admire opt against a transfer to Old Trafford.
Here, Liverpool.com takes a scan around the other big sides in the Premier League and around Europe to take a look at the news going on at the other clubs, with both Manchester City and Manchester United in the news.
İlkay Gündoğan latestIt took just 13 seconds for Gündoğan to open the scoring in the Manchester City vs Manchester United FA Cup final, though the end result was a lot closer than it looked like being in the early stages.
Jack Grealish and others went close at 1-0 before the England man gave away a penalty for handball, which was converted by Bruno Fernandes. Gündoğan, though, is the best in the business at the end of the season and he netted the winner.
The German, who was coached by Klopp during his time at Borussia Dortmund, is absolutely priceless. But he is also out of contract at the end of this season, with no decision made yet on what might happen.
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At full-time, the matchwinner confirmed that he did not know yet where his future lies, but Pep Guardiola is keen to keep him for at least another season.
Liverpool.com says: It is possible that Gündoğan signs an extension and stays with Manchester City, but after seven seasons in England, it is also possible that he decides to move on.
It would be beneficial to Liverpool if he picked the latter option, with no shortage of suitors should that be the call that he comes back to. Without a scorer of so many key goals, Guardiola's side would be significantly weakened.
Mason Mount transfer updateManchester United has agreed personal terms with Chelsea and England attacking midfielder Mason Mount and looks the heavy favorite to seal his transfer, despite Liverpool also being interested in a move.
The Guardian reports that after a wage package was agreed, Chelsea wants $87m (£70m/€81m) for the player, even though he has only a year left on his contract.
Manchester United, meanwhile, wants to pay something closer to $62m (£50m/€58m) — less, but still extortionate.
Liverpool.com says: In an ideal world, it sounds like Mount would rather stay at Chelsea than leave and sign for another team, but the Stamford Bridge side has spent so much that something is going to have to give.
The 24-year-old might not want to move on but he might not have a choice. Likewise, incoming new manager Mauricio Pochettino might want to keep him, but is going to have to make some difficult transfer decisions.
A move to Liverpool would make more sense in that there is a ready-made position waiting for him to fill, but if Mount chooses Manchester United, the Reds will have to look elsewhere.
