How Successful Would Kylian Mbappe Have Been For Liverpool?

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 20: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid CF looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on September 20, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)

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The idea of Kylian Mbappe playing for Liverpool was tantalising for fans of the Anfield club. At the time, few knew how realistic a change Liverpool had of landing the French forward who was considered the hottest property in European soccer. Now it is known that Mbappe might have ended up on Merseyside.

“I was close to [joining] Liverpool. The favourite destination for my mum was Liverpool. She wanted me to go there,” said Mbappe in a recent interview. “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. But yes, my mum was always saying, ‘Liverpool – you’re going to be there, playing at Anfield, it’s going to be insane for you’.”

Ultimately, Mbappe joined Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco instead and became one of the best players in the world. From there, Mbappe made the move to Real Madrid where the 27-year-old is now one of the sport’s true superstars. Had things gone a little differently, though, Mbappe’s career path would have passed through Anfield.

In 2016, Liverpool was still in the early stages of its development under Jurgen Klopp. That summer, the Anfield club made a number of transformational signings with Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum joining. Trent Alexander-Arnold was also promoted to the Liverpool first team from the youth ranks.

This was a year before Mohamed Salah signed for Liverpool and 18 months before the club paid a record fee to sign Virgil Van Dijk. Had Mbappe joined the Reds over PSG, Klopp might not have needed Salah to supercharge his forward line. The Egyptian may not have become a Liverpool legend. He might have gone somewhere else or stayed at Roma.

One wonders how working under Klopp at such an early stage of his career might have changed Mbappe’s game. As potent as the Frenchman is as an attacking threat, his lack of work ethic has been continually highlighted over his stints at PSG and Real Madrid. Klopp wouldn’t have stood for this at Liverpool.

Liverpool’s rise to the top of the English and European game might have been accelerated with Mbappe as part of the forward line. Klopp had to wait until 2020 to get his hands on the Premier League trophy for the first time. Mbappe’s signing might have helped him get there quicker.

Alternatively, Mbappe might have diluted Klopp’s ultimate vision for Liverpool under his stewardship. At their peak, the Reds were a force of nature and reflected the personality of their manager on the touchline. As things panned out, Mbappe and Liverpool both found the right path.