Jurgen Klopp and Kylian Mbappe were seen embracing after France's win over Morocco at the World Cup, with the former Liverpool boss having been involved in attempts to bring the superstar to Anfield
00:03, 10 Jul 2026
Jurgen Klopp greets Kylian Mbappe after France's win over Morocco at the World Cup
Jurgen Klopp was seen greeting Kylian Mbappe after France's win over Morocco at the World Cup
Jurgen Klopp was spotted sharing a touching moment with Kylian Mbappe just moments after revealing how he almost signed the French superstar for Liverpool.
The pair came across each other after Mbappe inspired his country to a 2-0 win over Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals, setting up a semi-final meeting with one of Spain or Belgium next week.
The Real Madrid forward made amends after seeing his first-half penalty saved by Yassine Bounou as he fired the 2018 champions into the lead on the hour mark, bringing him back level with Lionel Messi on eight goals at the tournament before Ousmane Dembele confirmed France’s safe passage.
Mbappe gave his country a scare after going down injured with 13 minutes remaining in the game, before being seen with an ice pack on his ankle on the bench.
The issue didn’t seem too serious though, with the 27-year-old leading the celebrations in front of the French fans before he then found Klopp.
The former Liverpool manager was on the sideline as he covered the game as a pundit for MagentaTV. Broadcast cameras captured him embracing with Mbappe as the pair held what looked to be a jovial conversation.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 09: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France is congratulated by Jurgen Klopp after the team's 2-0 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 09, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp prevoiusly held talks with Kylian Mbappe about signing him at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
As Klopp had revealed just moments beforehand, it’s not the first time the pair have spoken to each other.
The 59-year-old revealed during the game that he held talks with Mbappe during his time in charge at Anfield, with Liverpool having been in discussions to sign him while he was still a Monaco player in 2017 before his eventual move to Paris Saint-Germain.
“The most expensive non-transfer we [Liverpool] invested in,” Klopp explained (via Keven Bader on X). “We flew from Blackpool to Nice. In Nice, the entire Mbappe family boarded a private jet with five rooms or something.
“We really went all out. Then we flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food.”
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Questioned why he didn’t leave the plane for the talks, Klopp responded: “We couldn't be seen.
“We flew in a circle. It was fantastic. And then he went to Paris…”
Previous reports had claimed that Mbappe held a two-hour meeting with Liverpool owner John Henry on his private jet as he weighed up a transfer from Monaco, although Klopp’s involvement had not been revealed until now.
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Mbappe confirmed he spoke to Liverpool during an interview with The Telegraph in 2022, revealing: "We talked a little bit, but not too much.
"We talked a little bit. I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favorite club of my mum; my mum loves Liverpool. I don’t know why, you will have to ask her! It’s a good club, and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco, I met them. It’s a big club."