Liverpool to take on Flamengo for maiden Club World Cup trophy today

After ten days of exhilarating football action at the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup Qatar, the stage is now set for the final ‘battle’ as European Champions Liverpool take on their South American counterpart, Flamengo, today at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.

The encounter, billed to be a clash of the titans, will kick off by 8:30 pm (local time) inside the 48,000-capacity stadium located within the Aspire Zone.

While the Reds are making their second attempt at capturing the trophy that ranks among the very few that has eluded the Merseyside team till now, it is, however, a first-time appearance at the tournament in its present format for the Copa Libertadores champions, who arrived Doha with a 15,000-strong contingent of travelling fans.

For Jürgen Klopp, the English Premier League leader’s manager, the mission against the Brazilian team could be compared to the 1969 moon landing as they attempt to make the giant leap that eluded the Rafael Benítez’s team in 2005.

“Flamengo carry the hopes of an entire continent in Saturday’s Club World Cup final but will not surpass Liverpool’s desire to create history by winning the competition for the first time,” the Reds charismatic gaffer said at a presser on Friday. “I don’t know how you approach something that has never been done before.”

“We are playing against a side from a country and continent where this competition means everything to everyone and, in England, we have to explain why we come here. That’s how Europe looks at the world, that we are the centre of attention,” Klopp added.

While Brazilian clubs have won the title 10 times in its various guises, English teams have only managed to be crowned world champions twice, both by Manchester United in 1999 and 2008, and Flamengo’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool in the Intercontinental Cup 38 years ago has been celebrated in song and on banners by their supporters in Doha.

"When our boys play football they show every time they want to win. Is it an advantage the whole country or continent wants Flamengo to win it more? I don't know. Mexico wanted to win it more than people in England and we beat their team, so we will see,” the former Borussia Dortmund manager added.

Klopp noted that his players are determined to give the match their blood, sweat, and tears as they seek to avenge the 3-0 drubbing the club suffered in the hands of the Rio de Janeiro side on December 13, 1981 - the only occasion both clubs have met till date.

"For the players it is no problem. We spoke about the tournament a few months ago and asked how did they want to play it? It wasn’t that they could decide but how do you see it? They said: 'We go!' Since then it's never changed. The boys are 100 per cent clear. They didn't need Ali [Alisson] telling them or Bobby [Firmino] telling them or Fabinho telling them about the importance. They are footballers, they are sportsmen and they want to win everything they can,” Klopp said.

While Klopp fielded a starting XI made up of second-string players, with the exception of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, against Monterrey in the semis, he is most likely to lineup the regular starters against Flamengo.

Meanwhile, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson said playing in Club World Cup final against Flamengo will be a "dream come true".

Speaking at Friday's pre-match news conference, the Brazilian ex-Internacional stopper said, "I still watch Brazilian football, especially my former club, and Flamengo are a joy to watch. I'm excited to be playing in the Club World Cup final - it is a dream come true. I was a young boy at 14 when I watched my club Internacional win it in 2006 as a fan. Now I'm here with this opportunity to win it with Liverpool. It's big for Brazilians, but I think it's bigger for the people playing in it. People on the outside don't give value to this competition because it's limited just for the winners."

For Flamengo's coach Jorge Jesus, Liverpool’s recent history poses no problem for his team as he is confident his side can sting the English side once again.

"We cannot compare between two good teams easily. Yes, Liverpool has a distinct history in recent years: they have won many titles and they are one of the best clubs in the world but I have confidence in my players and I know what they are capable of doing," the Portuguese said.

"Jurgen Klopp has been with the team for many years and accomplished a lot with them, not only in the English League but Champions League. Liverpool have left their mark on world football. We know Flamengo are enjoying an excellent season, so there are similarities. We can say Liverpool and Flamengo may be at the best levels in their history,” the 65-year-old former Almancilense midfielder said.

Despite Qatar's representatives Al Sadd not featuring in the final, today's match will, however, have a Qatari flavour as Qatar's Abdulrahman Al Jassim will be the man with the whistle, and he will be supported by Taleb Al Marri and Saoud Al Maqaleh, both also from Qatar, as assistant referees.

Whichever side the pendulum tilts at the end of the day, history is bound to be made in Doha tonight as the trophy will have its first-time winner.

--

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.

Instagram - @qatarliving

Twitter - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

Cover Image Credit: Twitter/@LFC

Inline Image Credit: 1- Twitter/@LFC 2- Twitter/@Flamengo