Klopp Details Liverpool's Elaborate Attempt to Sign Kylian Mbappé

Former LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has recently shed light on a significant, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, transfer pursuit from a decade ago, detailing LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool's elaborate attempt to sign French superstar Kylian Mbappé. Klopp, who departed Anfield in the summer of 2024, described the effort as "the most expensive non-transfer we invested in," underscoring the club's determination.

According to Klopp, LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool orchestrated a meticulous plan to engage with Mbappé and his family. This involved flying Klopp from Blackpool to Nice, where the entire Mbappé family then boarded a private jet. "We really went all out," Klopp stated, explaining that they "flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food." The unusual aerial maneuver was designed to maintain discretion and avoid public scrutiny during the sensitive negotiations. Despite these considerable efforts, Mbappé ultimately chose to join Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, a move that reshaped the European football landscape. Mbappé himself had previously confirmed in a 2022 interview that he held discussions with LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool.

Fast forward to the present, Kylian Mbappé continues to be one of football's most dominant figures. For the 2025/26 season, he has been a pivotal forward for La LigaCompetition·La Liga club Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid, donning the number 10 jersey. His performance has been nothing short of exceptional, with 42 goals and 6 assists across 44 matches in all competitions for Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid. In La LigaCompetition·La Liga alone, Mbappé topped the scoring charts, registering 25 goals and 5 assists in 31 appearances, earning him a strong Sofascore rating of 7.68. His consistent brilliance places him among the leading contenders for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

Meanwhile, LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool concluded the 2025/26 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League season in 5th position, accumulating 60 points from 38 matches. The club secured 17 wins, 9 draws, and suffered 12 losses, finishing with a goal difference of +10. This places the revelation of their past pursuit of Mbappé in context, highlighting a moment when the club aimed to secure a talent who would go on to define an era, even as their own trajectory has seen shifts since that ambitious attempt.