{
  "id": 9206154,
  "title": "I was close to joining Liverpool in 2016 – Mbappe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/i-was-close-to-joining-liverpool-in-2016-mbappe-9206154",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T21:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/i-was-close-to-joining-liverpool-in-2016-mbappe/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2016, football star Kylian Mbappe came close to joining English club Liverpool. The 18-year-old French forward was playing for Monaco in Ligue 1 at the time. Liverpool's former manager, Jurgen Klopp, made several efforts to sign the young talent. They offered Mbappe and his family a private jet and lavish meals during their visit to Liverpool. According to Mbappe, his mother was a big admirer of Liverpool and its manager, Jurgen Klopp. She wanted her son to move to Merseyside. Despite his mother's strong support, Mbappe ultimately chose to stay in Paris and play for Paris St-Germain. Mbappe's mother visited Liverpool to discuss the transfer, attending games at Anfield and meeting with club officials. She was impressed by the club's reputation and warmth towards players, but Mbappe's desire to remain in his hometown and prove himself as a star in Paris weighed heavily on his decision.",
  "summary": "Kylian Mbappe has revealed how \"close\" he came to joining Liverpool in 2016, saying he went against the advice of his mother who \"fell in love\" with Anfield.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}