Liverpool's ambitious 2017 pursuit of Kylian Mbappé has been detailed by Jürgen Klopp, who revealed the club used a private jet to meet the then-teenager and his family. The effort, which saw Mbappé's mother fall in love with Anfield, ultimately failed as the forward chose a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Klopp explained how Liverpool 'pulled out all the stops' for the 18-year-old France international, who was starring for Monaco. "We just flew in circles, talked with the family, and had a delicious meal," Klopp said. "We weren't allowed to be seen." The flight from Blackpool to Nice included five rooms for Mbappé's entourage, underlining the scale of the charm offensive. Mbappé himself later admitted he was 'close to Liverpool' during that period.
Decision and aftermath
Mbappé opted for PSG, joining initially on a loan that included a €180 million option for a permanent transfer. He would go on to win the World Cup with France in 2018 and later became the tournament's all-time top scorer, surpassing legends like Miroslav Klose and Lionel Messi. After leaving Nike for a sponsorship deal with On, Mbappé completed a high-profile move to Real Madrid in 2024. Discussions about a potential switch to Liverpool resurfaced in 2022, but by then the player was seriously considering only PSG and Real Madrid.
Recent form and context
The story of a near-miss for a generational talent emerges as Liverpool build momentum in the current Premier League season. The Reds sit sixth in the table with nine points from five games, having won their last two matches. A 1-0 victory at Bournemouth, secured by an Alexander Isak goal, was followed by a 3-1 home win over Tottenham. That form, reading four wins and a draw from the last five, provides a positive backdrop as the club prepares for a key clash. The focus now shifts to the next challenge, a home fixture against league leaders Manchester City on 11 October. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full fixtures schedule, while the current standings show Liverpool six points behind City at the summit.
First reported at ESPN Soccer
