Mbappé Details Liverpool Talks and Anfield Visit 2026

Key Points

• French football star Kylian Mbappé once almost joined Liverpool in 2017 before deciding to join Paris Saint-Germain.
• According to Real Madrid’s attacking midfielder, his mother, Fayza Lamari, was in favour of joining Liverpool as well as the team’s former manager, Jürgen Klopp.
• Mbappé stated that his mother went to Liverpool and interacted with some people associated with the club and attended games at Anfield.
• At the time he was with Monaco, Liverpool had talks with him and his family. Jürgen Klopp eventually confirmed that there had been a private jet talk.
• Mbappé stated that he did not leave France as he wanted to have experience playing in Paris before going elsewhere.
• Paris Saint-Germain bought Mbappé on loan from Monaco in 2017 before signing him permanently a year later.
• Liverpool’s bid for Mbappé has been termed as an ambitious and unsuccessful one.

Anfield (Liverpool standard) September 22, 2026 – Kylian Mbappé has disclosed that Liverpool came close to signing him when he was preparing to leave Monaco, but he chose to stay in France by joining Paris Saint-Germain instead. The forward said Liverpool appealed strongly to his mother, who visited Anfield and believed the club would be an ideal destination for him.

Kylian Mbappé Liverpool transfer talks were more advanced than previously known, with the France international confirming that Liverpool were a serious option before he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

As reported by The Athletic, Mbappé said he had discussions with Liverpool and met Jürgen Klopp as the club attempted to persuade him to move to Merseyside. The player’s account follows Klopp’s earlier confirmation that Liverpool arranged a private-jet meeting involving Mbappé and his family during their efforts to secure a transfer.

Mbappé said he was close to Liverpool but ultimately placed greater importance on playing in Paris at that stage of his career. His decision led to a switch from Monaco to PSG in 2017, rather than a move to the Premier League.

What did Mbappé say about Liverpool and Anfield?

Mbappé said his mother was a major supporter of Klopp and considered Liverpool her preferred destination for her son. According to ESPN’s report on the interview, Mbappé said: “My mum was a big fan of Jürgen Klopp and the favourite destination for my mum was Liverpool. She wanted me to go there.”

The Real Madrid player said his mother repeatedly presented the prospect of playing at Anfield as a significant opportunity. He recalled her telling him that Liverpool would offer the chance to play in one of football’s most recognisable stadiums and experience a major club environment.

Mbappé said his mother travelled to Liverpool during the early negotiations. He stated that she visited the city and stadium, met people around the club and was impressed by the welcome she received.

As reported by Liverpool.com, Mbappé recalled her assessment of the club as being welcoming and family-oriented. He said she described Liverpool as “a wonderful club” with kind people, adding that she viewed it as “a family club” and “a big club”.

The player also said his mother attended matches by herself to understand the atmosphere at Anfield. According to ESPN, Mbappé said she “fell in love” with the stadium after watching games and imagining him playing there.

Liverpool Echo also reported that Mbappé said his mother repeatedly advised him to choose Liverpool after those visits. In his recollection, she told him: “For me, you have to go to Liverpool,” while he responded by acknowledging her preference without committing to the move.

Why did Mbappé choose PSG instead of Liverpool?

Mbappé said his decision was rooted in a wish to remain in his home country rather than leave France at that point in his development. He explained that Paris had a particular importance to him and that he wanted to prove himself there first.

According to ESPN, Mbappé said: “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.” The comment identifies his personal and professional reasoning rather than any criticism of Liverpool or Klopp.

The forward had emerged as one of European football’s most sought-after young players after helping Monaco win Ligue 1 and reach the Champions League semi-finals during the 2016-17 season. Liverpool were among the clubs seeking to sign him, while PSG ultimately secured an initial loan agreement in 2017.

Mbappé joined PSG permanently in 2018 after the loan arrangement. He then spent seven years at the Paris club and departed as its record goalscorer before moving to Real Madrid.

His explanation indicates that remaining in Paris was not simply a footballing choice. It also reflected a desire to build his profile in France, particularly in the city he described as his own.

What role did Jürgen Klopp play in Liverpool’s attempt?

Jürgen Klopp was personally involved in Liverpool’s efforts to sign Mbappé from Monaco. The former Liverpool manager later revealed that the club went to substantial lengths to make the player and his family feel welcome during the recruitment process.

According to BBC Sport, Klopp said Liverpool arranged a private jet and food for Mbappé and his family. Klopp described flying “around in a circle” during the meeting, an unusual detail that underlined the secrecy and importance of the pursuit.

Mbappé confirmed a meeting with Klopp on a private jet. The accounts from both men broadly align: Liverpool were actively attempting to convince the teenager that Anfield was the right next step in his career.

Klopp said the effort eventually failed because Mbappé chose Paris. The former Liverpool manager said Liverpool’s approach took place before the forward moved to PSG and described the engagement positively despite the unsuccessful outcome.

Klopp has also called the pursuit “the most expensive non-transfer” Liverpool invested in. The phrase reflects the time and effort spent on a deal that did not reach completion.

What does this reveal about Liverpool’s 2017 transfer strategy?

Liverpool’s pursuit of Mbappé illustrates the scale of the club’s recruitment ambitions under Klopp in 2017. At the time, Mbappé was an emerging player rather than the World Cup winner, PSG record scorer and Real Madrid forward he later became.

The club’s approach combined direct managerial involvement, a private meeting and engagement with the player’s family. Mbappé’s comments about his mother’s experiences in Liverpool also show that the club’s efforts extended beyond footballing discussions.

Liverpool were not alone in pursuing the Monaco forward. PSG offered Mbappé the opportunity to remain in France, play in Paris and continue his development in a familiar environment, which he later said was decisive.

The decision shaped the next stage of Mbappé’s career. He became a central figure at PSG, won major domestic honours, helped France win the 2018 World Cup and later moved to Real Madrid.

What is the background to Mbappé’s Liverpool near-miss?

Mbappé broke through at Monaco during the 2016-17 campaign, when the club won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semi-finals. His pace, finishing and performances against leading European opposition attracted widespread interest from major clubs.

Liverpool’s interest has been discussed before. In 2022, Mbappé said Liverpool had spoken to him, explaining that the club was particularly admired by his mother. His latest comments provide further detail about her visits to Liverpool, her admiration for Anfield and his own reason for rejecting the proposed move.

PSG secured Mbappé on loan from Monaco in 2017 before making the transfer permanent in 2018. He remained there until joining Real Madrid, while Liverpool continued under Klopp and went on to win the Champions League and Premier League in subsequent seasons.

How could Mbappé’s comments affect Liverpool supporters?

For Liverpool supporters, Mbappé’s account provides clearer context about a transfer that did not happen during a pivotal period for the club. It confirms that Liverpool were not merely linked with the player but held meaningful discussions involving Klopp and his family.

The comments are unlikely to alter the current transfer situation because Mbappé is now a Real Madrid player and was explaining a decision made in 2017. However, they may renew discussion among Liverpool fans about how different the club’s attacking options and later seasons might have been had he selected Anfield.

For younger players and their representatives, the episode shows how family preferences, personal identity and career timing can influence high-profile transfers alongside sporting and financial considerations. Mbappé’s stated reason was that he wanted to play in Paris and become established in France before moving abroad.