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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

Liverpool told they can 'forget about' Kylian Mbappe

Liverpool legend Ian Rush doesn't believe Kylian Mbappe is needed at Anfield given the strength of the squad Jurgen Klopp now has at his disposal.

Mbappe showed why he is one of the hottest talents in football with his mesmerising run and finish against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The France star is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and Real Madrid are strong favourites to secure his signature.

But Liverpool have also long been linked with Mbappe.

READ MORE: Liverpool have last laugh over Diego Simeone jibes as Atletico Madrid face new reality

READ MORE: Diogo Jota ankle injury update as Liverpool ease Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fears

Rush, however, said to Gambling.com : "Mbappe showed what a class act he is but Madrid already know what he’s about and they expect him to be wearing their shirt next season. Neymar was excellent when he came on too and you’d imagine he’ll play a bigger part in the second leg.

"Real are not the side they once were but they’ll hope to reinvent the club by signing Mbappe on a free this summer. Although, having said that, if PSG win the Champions League it wouldn’t surprise me to see him staying where he is – a lot could depend on that.

"Given where they’re at right now, Madrid would be a bit of a risk for Mbappe, and the only other option for him would be to consider the Premier League. But can anyone in England afford his wages?

"We know City can, but I’m not sure if he’s Pep Guardiola’s type of player. I would imagine Liverpool signing (Luis) Diaz rules them out of the Mbappe race.

"We’d all love to have him in this team but Klopp is already planning for the future by spending big on Diaz and I don’t see a selling spree coming this summer, which would be necessary if Mbappe was in his plans."

Liverpool signed Diaz toward the end of the transfer window in January and manager Klopp now has attacking quality in abundance.

"The strength Mohamed Salah has up front is already frightening – it’s as good as it gets – so I think we can now forget about adding Mbappe into the mix," continued Rush.

"Liverpool have an abundance of talent now but Klopp will always pick the team based on the opposition, and no-one – maybe with the exception of Mohamed Salah – is guaranteed a starting place up front. He’s got six or seven options now when everyone’s fit and each one of them offer different skills for different situations.

"Diogo Jota can score a brace and then find himself on the bench in the next game, that’s how competitive it is right now. But it’s a healthy situation for Liverpool to be in, it’s one hell of a squad now.

"These players would get into most other sides every week, but Klopp has a way of keeping his players patient and hungry, and that’s why his attacking options on the bench always look so strong. It goes to show you how good a manager he is, he keeps everyone on their toes. "

*What trophy do you think Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side will be able to win this season?

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