Kylian Mbappé has revealed that Liverpool were serious contenders for his signature in 2017, detailing talks with Jürgen Klopp and explaining why he ultimately chose Paris Saint-Germain instead.
Date: September 24, 2026
By Abiodun Adewale Adeniyi | Founder & Editor, Beyond the Final Whistle
Kylian Mbappé's career could have taken a dramatically different direction.
The Real Madrid superstar has revealed that Liverpool were among the clubs seriously pursuing him when he prepared to leave Monaco in 2017, with then-manager Jürgen Klopp personally involved in trying to convince the French forward to move to Anfield.
Speaking during an interview on The Athletic FC Podcast, Mbappé discussed Liverpool's interest and the conversations that took place before he ultimately decided to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappé's Mother Wanted Liverpool
One of the most fascinating details from Mbappé's account concerns his mother, Fayza Lamari.
Mbappé explained that his mother admired Klopp and was attracted by the possibility of her son joining Liverpool. According to The Irish Times' report on Mbappé's interview, she visited Liverpool and Anfield as discussions over a potential move developed.
Klopp was personally involved in presenting Liverpool's project to one of Europe's most exciting young players.
Mbappé's comments suggest Liverpool's interest went considerably further than the type of transfer speculation that regularly surrounds elite players.
Why Mbappé Chose PSG
Liverpool nevertheless faced one enormous obstacle: Paris was home.
Mbappé had grown up in the Paris region, and the opportunity to establish himself at PSG ultimately proved more attractive.
He joined PSG from Monaco in 2017, initially on loan before completing a permanent transfer. He subsequently became the club's all-time leading goalscorer before eventually joining Real Madrid in 2024.
That decision shaped one of the defining careers of his generation.
But knowing Liverpool were genuinely involved creates one of the great transfer "what ifs" of the Klopp era.
What If Mbappé Had Joined Liverpool?
Liverpool eventually constructed one of Europe's most devastating attacks around Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino.
That front line helped Klopp's team win the Champions League and Premier League.
Adding Mbappé to Klopp's high-intensity attacking system at such an early stage of his career could have changed Liverpool's trajectory even further.
It is impossible to know whether Liverpool would have enjoyed greater success with Mbappé. His comments do, however, reveal how close football history can come to taking a completely different direction.
Interestingly, Klopp remains a subject attracting readers on Beyond the Final Whistle. Our recent analysis of Klopp and Xavi beginning new international eras with Germany and the Netherlands examines the next chapter of the German coach's career after his celebrated spell at Anfield.
A Transfer That Could Have Changed Everything
Mbappé ultimately chose PSG, became the dominant figure in Paris and later fulfilled another major career ambition by joining Real Madrid.
Liverpool went in another direction and still constructed a team capable of conquering England and Europe.
Both paths produced extraordinary success.
But Mbappé's revelation means Liverpool supporters can legitimately wonder what might have happened had one of world football's biggest stars chosen Anfield at the beginning of his rise to superstardom.
Beyond the Final Whistle, Mbappé's revelation is a reminder that football history can turn on a single transfer decision. Liverpool had Klopp, an ambitious project and genuine interest from Mbappé's camp—but the pull of Paris ultimately proved decisive.
Would Mbappé have reached even greater heights under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, or did choosing PSG put him on the right path? Join the conversation on Beyond the Final Whistle.
