Klopp reveals wild private plane chase to sign Mbappe for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has lifted the lid on one of the most tantalizing 'what ifs' in modern football: the time Liverpool came agonizingly close to signing Kylian Mbappe. In a recent interview, the Reds boss painted a vivid picture of the lengths he went to, revealing he 'flew around in a circle' in a private plane alongside Mbappe and his family during negotiations.

The chase for a generational talent

Back in 2016, Mbappe was the hottest property in European football, tearing up Ligue 1 with AS Monaco. Liverpool, under Klopp's burgeoning project, were desperate to land the teenage sensation. According to Klopp, he personally boarded a private jet with Mbappe's entourage in a bid to seal the deal. The image of Klopp, known for his emotional intensity, circling the skies in a high-stakes charm offensive is pure football theater.

Liverpool were coming off a strong finish in Klopp's first full season, with a Champions League spot secured. The club had already shown ambition in the transfer market, but Mbappe would have been a statement signing of seismic proportions. Alas, the French prodigy opted to stay in Monaco for one more season before his record-breaking move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

What might have been

Had Mbappe landed at Anfield, the landscape of English and European football could have shifted dramatically. Imagine a front three of Mbappe, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane – a trio that would have been virtually unplayable. Liverpool's gegenpressing system, with Mbappe's blistering pace and finishing, might have accelerated their trophy haul even sooner. The Reds went on to win the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020, but with Mbappe, those triumphs might have been even more dominant.

Klopp's revelation also underscores Liverpool's ambition during that period. Despite missing out, they pivoted to sign Salah from Roma the same summer – a move that worked out rather well. Yet the nagging thought remains: what if the plane had landed on Merseyside?

The road not taken

Mbappe's career path is now set: a World Cup winner, multiple Ligue 1 titles, and a move to Real Madrid likely on the horizon. For Liverpool, the story serves as a reminder of the fine margins in football. Klopp's anecdote, shared with characteristic humor and frankness, offers fans a nostalgic glimpse into a transfer saga that could have rewritten history. As Mbappe continues to chase Champions League glory with Madrid, Liverpool fans will wonder – even if just for a moment – what might have been if that plane ride had gone differently.