The story of Kylian Mbappé’s Liverpool near-miss is one of missed opportunities, familial influence, and the kind of footballing drama that only the Premier League could deliver. In a candid reflection, the Real Madrid forward admitted he was “close” to donning the red of Anfield in 2017, a move that would have reshaped his career trajectory—and potentially Liverpool’s title hopes. The catalyst? His mother, a devoted Jürgen Klopp fan, who had already fallen in love with Merseyside before her son had even set foot in England.
Mbappé, then just 18 and a rising star at Monaco, faced a pivotal decision: leave his homeland for the unknown or stay rooted in Paris. His mother’s preference was never in doubt. “She wanted me to go to Liverpool,” he recalled, her enthusiasm bordering on obsession. The family even made the pilgrimage to Anfield, immersing themselves in the club’s atmosphere—something Mbappé described as “insane” in its potential. Yet despite Klopp’s personal involvement (he reportedly flew to Nice on a private jet to meet Mbappé and his family), the Frenchman ultimately chose loyalty to his city. “I didn’t want to leave my country before I was someone,” he explained, a sentiment that would later define his career path—first to PSG, then to Real Madrid.
The tactical and emotional weight of this decision cannot be overstated. Liverpool, under Klopp’s revolutionary system, was a club on the cusp of dominance, while Mbappé’s Monaco was a Ligue 1 side with limited ambition. Klopp’s ability to sell the vision—combined with the family’s emotional investment—suggests the transfer was never just about money. Yet Mbappé’s hesitation reveals a young player prioritizing identity over opportunity, a choice that would later prove prescient as he became France’s all-time top scorer. The irony? His eventual move to Real Madrid, where he now wears the No. 9, was the one that fulfilled his ambition—but not before Liverpool’s pursuit had come tantalizingly close.
What makes this story even more intriguing is the contrast between Mbappé’s recollection and Klopp’s own account. The German manager has spoken of the “desperation” behind the bid, of the private jet, the late-night negotiations, and the sense that Mbappé was “almost ours.” Yet the Frenchman’s focus remains on his mother’s role—a rare glimpse into how family dynamics shape elite football careers. “She’d say, ‘For me, you have to go to Liverpool,’” he recounted, his tone reflecting both admiration and regret. The decision wasn’t just about football; it was about belonging, about the stories he wanted to tell.
Today, with Mbappé a global icon and Liverpool’s pursuit of another title under a new manager, the “what ifs” linger. Could he have been the catalyst for a third Premier League trophy? Would his presence have accelerated the club’s evolution into a Champions League dynasty? The answers remain speculative—but the near-miss itself is a testament to how football’s biggest transfers are rarely decided by logic alone. For Mbappé, the choice to stay in Paris was a defining moment. For Liverpool, it remains one of the most tantalizing “almosts” in modern history.
