Liverpool’s Club World Cup Picture Becomes Clearer

Tonight’s focus from Liverpool fans, players, and coaches alike will justifiably be on earning another three points toward Champions League Knockout Round qualification against Belgian side Genk.

However, the FIFA Club World Cup is just a couple of months away, and Liverpool’s possible route to being crowned World Champions is becoming clearer by the day.

Yesterday Qatari side Al Sadd SC was eliminated in the semifinal round of the AFC Champions League, and will therefore represent the host country in the opening round match against OFC Champions Hienghène Sport from New Caledonia. The winner of this match, in turn, will play the Mexican CONCACAF Champions League winners CF Monterrey for the right to face the Champions, Champions of Europe (Liverpool, if you haven’t heard), in the semifinals on December 18th.

On the other side of the bracket, the AFC Champions League and Copa Libertadores winners have yet to be decided. Saudi side Al-Hilal will either face the Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds or Guangzhou Evergrande from China in the two-legged AFC Champions League final. And Argentinian giants River Plate will face one of two Brazilian semifinalists, Grêmio or Flamengo, in the Copa Libertadores final.