Liverpool's former manager revealed the extraordinary efforts the club made to sign Kylian Mbappe before his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. The attempt, described as the "most expensive non-transfer" in the club's history, involved an undercover pitch to convince Mbappe to choose Anfield over PSG. The lengths the club went to secure the forward were extensive, with a top-secret operation designed to win over the player and his inner circle.
The undercover pitch took place on a private jet, with the goal of avoiding media attention. Liverpool's hierarchy arranged a meeting with Mbappe and his family on a luxurious private jet with five rooms. The meeting involved flying from Blackpool to Nice, then boarding the private jet, where the club's representatives talked with the family, ate good food, and attempted to secure the player's commitment.
Despite the luxurious hospitality and a personal connection, as Mbappe's mother is a known Liverpool fan, the player ultimately chose a €180 million move to PSG. Mbappe's career since rejecting Liverpool has been highly successful, with the forward becoming PSG's all-time leading goalscorer and capturing numerous Ligue 1 titles and domestic honors.
Mbappe's stellar performances eventually earned him a transfer to Real Madrid, and he continues to shine on the international level, leading France to another successful World Cup. He has scored 8 goals so far, including a goal and assist against Morocco in the quarter-finals, sending his country into the third consecutive World Cup semi-final. Mbappe is the joint-top scorer and a main contender for the Golden Boot.
