Kylian Mbappe has confirmed that Liverpool came close to signing him during his breakthrough season at Monaco back in 2017.
The Real Madrid forward disclosed that discussions took place when Jurgen Klopp was managing the Premier League club, making the revelation in an interview with The Athletic.
Mbappe was emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers at the time, drawing significant interest from several leading clubs across the continent.
The France international revealed that his mother was particularly enthusiastic about a potential move to Anfield, being a self-described fan of Klopp’s management style.
However, Mbappe ultimately decided against leaving France, instead choosing to join Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan deal that was later made permanent.
“It was while I was playing in Monaco. I had to take a decision. And yes, I was close to Liverpool,” Mbappe told The Athletic directly.
“My mum was a big fan of Jürgen Klopp, and the favourite destination for my mum was Liverpool. She wanted me to go there.”
Despite his mother’s preference, Mbappe had his own clear vision for how his career should develop at that particular stage.
“I didn’t listen because I wanted to play in my city, Paris. I didn’t want to leave my country before I was someone,” he explained frankly.
Two factors drove the decision, with his desire to represent a club from his hometown and his ambition to establish himself in French football before moving abroad both proving decisive.
That choice ultimately shaped the next significant chapter of his career, as he went on to become one of PSG’s most important and influential players over several seasons.
Mbappe developed into one of the world’s most prolific attackers in Paris before eventually fulfilling his long-held ambition of playing for Real Madrid.
Liverpool’s failure to land the Frenchman will look very different in hindsight, given the extraordinary heights he has reached since those Monaco days.
The revelation offers a rare glimpse into just how differently football history could have unfolded had Mbappe followed his mother’s wishes in 2017.
