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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp considers unleashing 'fab four' on Spartak Moscow for first time this season
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has the chance to unleash his ‘fab four’ for the first time this season as he called on his players to start a fresh era of Champions League history.
Klopp has been unable to start the attacking quartet of Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in a competitive fixture this season.
The only time the foursome started was in the Audi Cup against Bayern Munich, a game Liverpool won 3-0.
Klopp must weigh up whether it would be too adventurous to unload all his attacking ammunition against Spartak Moscow in Russia on Tuesday, or if a more cautious approach is demanded.
“The balance has to be right. We are an offensive-orientated team, but this is about Champions League football,” said Klopp.
“We need results. In the right moments, you need to be able to do the right things. It is not about being spectacular, it is about being good, and being clinical and having perfect timing and perfect protection. We cannot just bring all the artists, but if it fits together we will do it.
“It is good to have them all, it is cool everyone is in the game, but that doesn’t mean anything. I don’t believe in names. I believe in performances. They all have to fit together and that is what we have to try.”
Klopp gave the impression he was prepared to be more pragmatic in a tricky away tie, but his options are varied now Mane is back from suspension and Coutinho has regained full match sharpness. The four did play seven minutes together against Sevilla in the first group game, but the Brazilian was clearly unfit.
Although a friendly, the Bayern Munich performance in August demonstrated how destructive the quartet can be.
“That was quite a good game, but it was too long ago,” said Klopp.
“Until you told me I didn’t know that was the only game they had played together from the start.”
Despite Liverpool’s rich heritage in European competition, their recent Champions League record is grim.
Pre-dating Klopp, the club has won three of their last 13 group games, only Hungarian side Debrecen (beaten twice under Rafa Benitez in 2009) and Bulgarians Luodogerets defeated (by Brendan Rodgers’ side three years ago).
To Klopp it is a sign a new standard must be set.
“Records like that are a problem when people can remember them. It is a number, nothing else,” he said.
“We are not the same team, only the same name. In the past a lot of teams won the Champions League and then had no chance for the next five, six, 10 years. Things change. We had to start anew, that is clear, but we are ready for the Champions League.
“As long as we don't misjudge the circumstances or the names – thinking of England, Russia, Slovenia or Spain – then we will be really ready for the competition. It is exciting. It is a bit like international football, an adventure – you land, it's dark, never been in Moscow before, you see all the policemen and all that stuff. It's really exciting and it keeps you really awake.”
One selection Klopp is happy to confirm is goalkeeper Loris Karius.
Karius is eager to oust Simon Mignolet as the permanent No 1. High-profile errors proved expensive last season, but the 24 year-old says he was hampered when squandering his first chance.
“It was more an injury at the beginning, I wasn't 100 per cent ready when I came back from my injury and maybe it was a bit too early,” said Karius.
“As a team we didn't play well for a couple of games and on top of that I had two bad performances. I didn't expect it to echo that much but it happens. You can't change it. I'm not mad at anyone. There were a couple of experts that said a couple of things but that is their job. You can't worry about that as a player too much.
“I took it, learned from it, took it with me. You learn from the negative things and it can help you if you use it in the right way. I felt well prepared for this season.
“I'd lie if I said I don't want to be back in the Premier League team as well. That is why this is a big chance to prove myself and show the manager I am ready for whatever.”