Mbappe reveals he came close to joining Liverpool in 2017

Kylian Mbappe has revealed he came close to joining Liverpool while playing for Monaco before ultimately choosing Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, saying his mother was a strong advocate of a move to Anfield. In an interview published this week, the France captain said he had to make a decision during his time at Monaco and was close to Liverpool, adding that his mother was a big fan of then-manager Jurgen Klopp and that her favourite destination was the club. She wanted him to go, but he chose differently. "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," Mbappe said, describing how his mother repeatedly urged him toward Merseyside. His mother visited Liverpool as part of what Mbappe described as the first step of the negotiations, travelling to the city and to Anfield, where she watched matches alone to imagine her son playing there. She returned telling him the club was wonderful, welcoming and a family club, and continued to press him to sign. Mbappe also recalled the role Klopp played in the pursuit.