MONEY CAN’T BUY FAB FOUR
With 46 goals, Klopp’s star forwards are priceless as Liverpool turn up volume
JURGEN KLOPP acknowledges he is not particularly fond of the ‘Fab Four’ nickname given to Liverpool’s key attacking quartet — but believes money can’t buy their love.
The Beatles-inspired nickname has been given to the foursome of Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane after eye-catching performances for Liverpool in recent weeks.
Klopp’s side have scored 40 goals in their last 11 matches in all competitions, and are unbeaten in six Premier League matches with five wins and 19 goals scored heading into the Merseyside derby with Everton.
Outside Anfield before their 7-0 thrashing of Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday ‘Fab Four’ tee-shirts were being snapped by supporters with the foursome quickly having secured their place in the hearts of the Kop.
But when asked if he could put a price on the value of having four devastating forward players, the Liverpool manager claimed it was impossible. ‘Never!’ Klopp said. ‘I have no idea. I haven’t thought about this. It’s not about money it’s about football skills. I don’t like the name “Fab Four” but it’s not important whether I like it or not.
‘Am I privileged to manage them? Yes, of course. If I was somewhere else I would have no chance to bring these players together. I can really image how other managers think when they see my line-up. Perhaps they say “lucky you”.
‘What they have is unbelievable potential mixed up with attitude.’
Coutinho, Firmino, Salah and Mane have 46 goals between them in all competitions this season — staggering considering it is only December. It will no doubt breed fear and trepidation among Everton supporters and even arch pragmatist Sam Allardyce will face an arduous task to shackle them.
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez regularly has to face the quartet on the training ground and admits even he is left open-mouthed at times.
‘Obviously I get to see in training how good they are and their quality,’ Gomez said. ‘I am aware of it. You expect it from them because you know how good they are. Their standards never drop.
‘But sometimes they do a few things and I am like “wow!” They are always at that top level and it’s amazing to be a part of.’
Klopp has not been able to start the ‘Fab Four’ together frequently this season due to injuries and suspensions, however now they are all fit and firing he plans to use them as much as possible.
‘Now is the moment we have to use them more often,’ Klopp explained. ‘And it has to stay like this. It only works if you win football games. At this specific moment they are so unbelievably important to us. If we win games it’s the responsibility of the players. If we lose them it’s my responsibility.
‘At this moment it’s working well together and we should try everything to make sure that carries on.’
Amid the excitement of the ‘Fab Four’ there is a forgotten ‘Fifth Beatle’ at Anfield in Daniel Sturridge.
The striker has gone from being a key player — and something of a talisman in the Merseyside derby — to more on the periphery, which has prompted talk of a move in January.
Klopp said that Sturridge, who has struggled with injury problems, has never been fitter and still has an important role to play at Anfield.
‘There could be one injury and Daniel could play the next five or six games,’ added the German. ‘Physically he’s in the best shape since I came. Then we will see how that will be. For all sessions he’s always in, always spot-on. Obviously there are a few players around him who are not that bad as well!
‘There is absolutely nothing to say about the transfer window. And I’m not interested in it even though it is December. Until the window opens we still have five or six games.’