Klopp sets record straight on Liverpool-Mbappé loan rumours

One of the most bizarre claims to have been churned out by the transfer rumour mill during the past few days involved Liverpool’s supposed interest in taking Kylian Mbappé off PSG’s hands - just for one season mind you, and on loan. Also, handily giving the player just enough time to wind down the final months of his contract and leave on a free next summer.

Why would one of the best players on the planet accept a temporary, short-term deal - along with all of the upheaval that goes with it - upping sticks, moving to a new country, new team, league, language and culture just for one season? And why would PSG, to whom Mbappé is bound by contract, agree to such a move?

New-look Liverpool

The Reds meanwhile, are hoping to fine tune the squad for 2023/24 with a couple of new additions before deadline day - but not in attack, where they have been averaging four goals per match in pre-season. The defence needs beefing up and with Henderson gone and Fabinho set to follow, more bodies will be needed in midfield.

And while Klopp is without a doubt full of admiration for Mbappé, he has outlined the limitations which Liverpool are constricted by in the current transfer climate many times over the past few seasons. Not to how mention how even a loan deal would impact Liverpool’s squad salary structure - Mbappé currently earns around €900,000 a week - more than Salah, Van Dijk and Thiago combined.

“We laugh about it,” Klopp told Sky Germany ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Bayern. “I can say that I think he’s a really good player, but the financial conditions don’t suit us at all. I wouldn’t like to ruin the story now, but as far as I know, there’s nothing to it. But it’s possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me, but that hasn’t happened during the eight years that I’ve been here. It would be the first time.”