Mbappe reveals how close he came to Liverpool in 2017

Mbappe almost signed in 2017

Kylian Mbappe nearly joined Liverpool in 2017. He told the story himself, and it comes down to his mother, Fayza Lamari.

"And yes, I was close to Liverpool. My mum was a big fan of Jurgen Klopp, and the favourite destination for my mum was Liverpool. She wanted me to go there" (7) (9).

He met Klopp on a private jet. Lamari made trips to Anfield before the decision landed on Paris Saint-Germain (7).

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Liverpool did not get him. He went to PSG, and later to Real Madrid.

Bayern float Davies in a Wirtz deal

Bayern Munich are reportedly willing to put Alphonso Davies into a deal for Florian Wirtz (8). The left-back would be the replacement for Andrew Robertson, per the reports.

Treat it as a rumour. Liverpool will not allow Wirtz to leave (10).

Wirtz form splits the room

Jamie Carragher was scathing about Florian Wirtz after his performance at Bournemouth (5). The question the article asks is whether that criticism is fair a year into his Anfield career.

Klopp has a plan for Wirtz, and Liverpool are about to see it (2).

Isak has four in five

Dean Saunders gave his verdict on two new faces. Alexander Isak has four goals in five games (1). Saunders also ran the rule over Bradley Barcola, who he knows well from their time on the same road (1).

Van Dijk hits back

Virgil van Dijk called it "utter nonsense". He pushed back hard on claims he influenced Ronald Koeman's tactics during the Netherlands' World Cup exit, calling them "completely baseless" (3).

Wright signed for the future

Liverpool won the race for Will Wright, signed for around £200,000 (4). Arsenal and Manchester City were also in the running.

He is a long-term striker option for the first team, per the profile (4).

Szoboszlai speaks up

Dominik Szoboszlai told his team-mates straight as the club eye a bargain transfer (6).

Fan reactions

A quiet day on the Liverpool subreddit, mostly remembering. Former co-owner George Gillett has passed away at 87, and the thread is a mix of reflection and blunt assessment of his time at the club. The other posts are no louder: Andre Wisdom's career and the knife attack that ended it, and a photo thread on a part of the club's history most fans would rather not revisit.

Sources

  • 1. liverpool.com — 'I've been in Bradley Barcola's shoes at Liverpool — this is what I've made of him so far'
  • 2. liverpoolecho.co.uk — Jurgen Klopp has a plan for Florian Wirtz – and Liverpool are about to see it
  • 3. espn.com — Van Dijk: 'Utter nonsense' I altered Netherlands tactics in WC exit
  • 4. tuttomercatoweb.com — Un talento al giorno, Will Wright: un 9 vecchio stampo per il Liverpool che verrà
  • 5. liverpool.com — Florian Wirtz agreement reached as Andoni Iraola may face Liverpool wait
  • 6. liverpoolecho.co.uk — Liverpool latest: Dominik Szoboszlai tells team-mates straight as 'bargain transfer eyed'
  • 7. sports.yahoo.com — Kylian Mbappe reveals how close he came to joining Liverpool in 2017
  • 8. sport1.pl — Bayern oferuje Alphonso Daviesa w zamian za gwiazdę. Liverpool przed wielką szansą
  • 9. dv.is — Mbappe gat farið til Liverpool - Þetta er ástæða þess að hann fór ekki
  • 10. bbc.co.uk — Barcelona rule out Alvarez deal - Thursday's gossip
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