Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp are closely monitoring and scouting the 17-year-old Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe. The forward recently managed to score his first goal for the French club in their 3-1 victory over Troyes during the weekend.

Mbappe became Monaco’s youngest player to score a goal and managed to break Thierry Henry’s 21-year-old record. He is a prolific striker and is also seen to play in wider positions. Mbappe also was the youngest player to start a game for Monaco. With the youngster grabbing eyeballs across, a lot of big clubs from Europe will be looking to bid for the player.

Current Scenario

Liverpool have had a history of signing younger strikers in the recent years. The frontline currently consists of four quality strikers – Sturridge, Benteke, Origi and Ings. Also, Firmino can be considered as a forward. But the problem this season has been with injuries. Ings being out for most of the season and Sturridge also struggling with injuries, Jurgen Klopp had to rely on Benteke and Origi.

Divock Origi has shown some improvement under the German and seems to be ahead of Christian Benteke in the pecking order – who despite being the club’s top scorer hasn’t really impressed and is facing an uphill battle for his place in the side, which will no doubt lead to speculation about the Belgium star’s future.

Possibilities

However, Liverpool have been lacking in terms of the wider areas of the pitch. They lack a quality player who can also play as a winger. Jordan Ibe is one natural winger who is often given the nod by the manager but he is the only option that Klopp has. Lazar Markovic is on a loan spell at Fenerbahce and will only be available in the next season. Klopp is very much in need of a winger and Mbappe might just be the perfect player.

The manager was also quoted saying, “We have enough strikers – five with Roberto (Firmino) – but not too many wingers, just a few young ones with great potential.” This statement clearly reflects his intent and the scouting has been strong ever since Mbappe was in the headlines for breaking the record.

At just 17, it is hard to think that Mbappe would be thrust straight into the starting XI every week and expected to deliver the goods but it is perhaps a sign that there could be something of a change when it comes to Liverpool’s strike force for next season.