Jurgen Klopp has responded to ongoing speculation over a move for Kylian Mbappe, admitting his interest but ruling Liverpool out of “these battles.”
Mbappe’s contract situation at Paris Saint-Germain is set to be determined in the near future, with the striker into the final weeks of his current deal.
The French club are understandably eager to tie him down for the long term, but the player himself has yet to commit as Real Madrid line up a marquee free transfer.
Liverpool have been continually linked with the 23-year-old, too, with reports in France suggesting Mbappe had been subject to an approach from Merseyside.
In his extended press conference ahead of the Reds’ trip to Southampton, Klopp was asked whether Liverpool were involved in talks over Mbappe’s future.
Understandably, given he described the figures surrounding Erland Haaland’s move from Borussia Dortmund as “crazy,” the manager was quick to rule a transfer out.
“Of course we are interested in Kylian Mbappe, we are not blind!” he told reporters on Monday.
“Actually nothing to say about that. Between Kylian and Liverpool, it’s all set. It’s all fine.
“We of course like him, if we didn’t like him we’d have to question ourselves.
“But we are not, we cannot, be part of these battles.
“There must be other clubs involved but that’s fine. He’s still a great player.”
