The Liverpool Offside - Club World Cup Final 2019-20: Liverpool vs. FlamengoZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2019-12-22T10:38:04+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/207964932019-12-22T10:38:04+00:002019-12-22T10:38:04+00:00Jürgen Klopp Hails “Wonderful Night” as Liverpool Win the Club World Cup
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<img alt="FIFA Club World Cup Winners Portrait Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qrOdYIqZyEk8USd7nehFIiH-qBw=/0x0:4500x3000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65954807/1195364700.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="yKhb2D">So <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> are the Champions of Earth now. We’re going to be casually bringing that one up for a while.</p>
<p id="XtgUEC">It wasn’t a great game, but that becomes totally irrelevant now. Liverpool won the damn thing and celebrated accordingly. Obviously, the manager was delighted.</p>
<p id="XeFyem">“It was a wonderful night for us, for the club, for everybody who is with us”, <a href="https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jurgen-klopp-beams-pride-liverpool-17460321">Jürgen Klopp told the Liverpool Echo</a>.</p>
<p id="93PRr4">“It’s a tough period for us, but the boys, game after game after game, they really show the desire to make the next step, show the desire to win the next game, show the desire to win the next challenge.</p>
<p id="YKHUoX">“Tonight, we couldn’t do more than win this game and winning (the title) for the first time for this wonderful club.</p>
<p id="YNeHqY">“Flamengo is a really, really good team and tonight we were the better team. That’s why we won.”</p>
<p id="280nAN">Speaking more of the emotions of the moment, Klopp added that “I said beforehand I didn’t know what it would feel like, but now I can say it’s outstanding.</p>
<p id="OZk2iK">“Absolutely sensational. I’m so proud of the boys. Couldn’t be better.</p>
<p id="YSHWAI">“It feels really great. We are all exhausted pretty much from a really intense game.</p>
<p id="io3WDc">“In moments like this I really struggle to find the right words as it’s not my native language for describing my respect for the boys and how they do it. It was an incredible performance in an incredibly difficult game against a good opponent.</p>
<p id="4ufHqz">“We did so many good things. So many good football moments. Everybody for different reasons was on the edge pretty much. There were some sensationally good performances.</p>
<p id="q4UBD8">“I’m really happy. The atmosphere in the stadium was great, Flamengo have been partying the whole week we’ve been here but while they can’t celebrate that much now, they should be proud of what their team did.</p>
<p id="1MAeQ6">“But we deserved the win. We were the better side. In some moments we had a really good goalkeeper, and in most other moments we were the dominant team.”</p>
<p id="OKEtzA">It’s another trophy in the cabinet. It’s another title. It’s another one on the way to, let’s be honest, the trophy we all really want in May.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2019/12/22/21033728/jurgen-klopp-hails-wonderful-night-as-liverpool-win-the-club-world-cup-flamengo-premier-league-eplGraceOnFootball2019-12-21T20:10:04+00:002019-12-21T20:10:04+00:00Liverpool 1, Flamengo 0 - CWC Final Match Recap: Club World Cup WINNERS
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v CR Flamengo - FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BXNotcqsvn--IUap9akauyfeDfs=/654x0:3961x2205/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65953141/1189858205.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>They took the long way, but Liverpool finally do the thing.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="c51n3m">
<h2 id="QzqDeN">
<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> vs. Flamengo</h2>
<h5 id="5ThM1H">Liverpool: Firmino 97’ </h5>
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<h3 id="BZsvV8"><strong>Pre-Match </strong></h3>
<p id="uzdQGt">Liverpool plays four whole defenders in defense today as they take on Flamengo for the FIFA Club <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> title. Klopp has put out his strongest starting XI to take this trophy today. </p>
<h3 id="wEAjAD"><strong>First Half</strong></h3>
<p id="Fm70Jk">Flamengo have started out strong here. Liverpool have spent the first few minutes of this game pinned back in their own half as they try to play their way forward to limited success. After a few minutes, they seem to have gained their footing in this game.</p>
<p id="JlW4N0">Four minutes in, Salah feeds in Naby Keïta, but Keïta skies it well over the net. Moments later, Trent Alexander-Arnold decides that he’s going to have a shot, hitting it low and strong towards the far corner, but it goes just wide. That would have been special. </p>
<p id="JbRd2x">Liverpool may come to rue these missed chances. Flamengo weathered the initial Reds’ push and are now responding back, causing van Dijk and Gomez to put in some important blocks in order to keep it even. </p>
<p id="Wi9EiK">Flamengo have committed to a high press, putting the centre-backs under pressure, but Liverpool are attempting to take advantage of that by breaking quickly, but so far the Brazilian players have been up to the challenge.</p>
<h3 id="5uDTte"><strong>Second Half</strong></h3>
<p id="SPlxoY">So close!! Bobby Firmino starts off the half sliding through the Flamengo defense and getting off a bouncing, dipping shot that slams into the woodwork. It should have given Liverpool the lead. Liverpool aren’t playing around as this second half begins. They are attacking the Flamengo goal in waves searching for that break through.</p>
<p id="OPWIZB">At the other end, Alisson denies Gabriel with an outstanding one-handed save. He pushes it behind for a corner.</p>
<p id="mIurFJ">As the minutes tick on here, it’s clear that Flamengo has been the great threat. For the second match in a row, Alisson has been Liverpool’s best player. </p>
<p id="9DnWly">In the 75th minute, <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> has to be taken off due to injury. Hopefully he’s ok, but he heads straight down the tunnel for treatment. In place comes <span>Adam Lallana</span>.</p>
<p id="sO7A7F">Salah scores a goal seconds after the restart, but he’s caught offside and it’s disallowed. 78 minutes in, Liverpool finally earn their first corner of the match which comes to nothing. Your recapper has begun trying to figure out whether this match will go to extra time or straight to penalties if it remains goalless at the final whistle.</p>
<p id="UyDbzO">Henderson nearly does it for Liverpool. He launches a 20 yard thunderbolt that’s batted away by Alves. </p>
<p id="jX5x3P">The referee calls maybe the obvious penalty in the history of the sport, only to have him do a VAR check and decide that, in fact, Sadio Mané dived instead. What a legend this referee is. What a waste of my life this game has been. </p>
<h3 id="URTxQa"><strong>Extra Time</strong></h3>
<p id="mgOi0Y">Finallllllllllllyyyyyy! GOALLLL!!! 99’ - FIRMINO! - In extra time, it’s a superb ball from <span>Jordan Henderson</span> to Sadio Mané, who holds it up beautifully, giving Firmino time to make a run straight down the center. Mané passes it to Bobby, who leaves two defenders for dead and slots it home for the first goal of the game. </p>
<p id="KlGI1y">After that, Naby Keïta comes off for the fresh legs of <span>James Milner</span>. </p>
<p id="TP9KMX">Liverpool end the first half of extra time up 1-0. Let’s hope it stays that way. Goalscorer Firmino gets subbed out for <span>Divock Origi</span>, so he won’t get a chance to pick up a second yellow for another shirt removal. Honestly, that was the most interesting part of the game, aside from the...creative refereeing.</p>
<p id="4xhdvb">Salah is replaced by <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> at the end of normal time in extra time. A bit of time wasting from the manager, I think. And that’s it! </p>
<h3 id="onsYW5">Final Thoughts</h3>
<p id="ND0X3x">Liverpool have won another trophy! It was touch and go, but they are the FIFA Club World Cup winners, and this trip around the world was worth the trouble. Hurray!</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2019/12/21/21032976/liverpool-1-flamengo-0-cwc-2019-final-match-recapepicskyline2019-12-21T14:00:00+00:002019-12-21T14:00:00+00:00Liverpool vs. Flamengo Live Updates: CWC Final Lineups, TV Listings, Match Highlights, and How to Watch Online
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<img alt="Behind the Scenes with Liverpool at the FIFA World Club Cup" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yrAZTTERJP-b7QbM-MnDS_22i3M=/706x527:3321x2270/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65952014/1195042836.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool take on Flamengo in the Club World Cup final.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="88uNAY">
<h2 id="BqgYiQ">
<a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/"><strong>Liverpool</strong></a><strong> vs. Flamengo</strong>
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<h5 id="2kO6Oi">| Saturday, December 21st |<br>Club <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> Final | Khalifa International Stadium<br>17:30PM BST / 12:30AM EST</h5>
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<p id="3DeIKp">How do you feel about trophies? If you answered positively, then we’ve got the game for you! Liverpool are playing in the Club World Cup final today against Brazilian team Flamengo. And yes, it’s a made up, cash grab of a tournament. And yes, it’s in a place that is committing about 30 different human rights violations at any given time. But it’s a trophy and Liverpool could win it. Since they got dumped out of the League Cup on Tuesday, lifting this one could be a nice consolation prize. Meanwhile, at the same time that Liverpool are in the warm weather looking to win a trophy, at least one of <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> or <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/">Leicester City</a> will be losing points in the league. </p>
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<h2 id="BEmvoW"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="dYxfm0"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2019/12/20/21031273/liverpool-flamengo-club-world-cup-final-2019-preview-team-news-predicted-lineup-how-to-watch">Liverpool vs. Flamengo</a></p>
<p id="PbisQO"><strong>Television:</strong> BBC Sport Live (UK); Fox Network (USA); Optus Sport (Australia); TSN4 (Canada); no coverage (India); Astro SuperSport 2 (Malaysia); no coverage (Nigeria); no coverage (Singapore); no coverage (South Africa); other listings at <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/">LiveSoccerTV</a></p>
<p id="gCM1oi"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> Foxsports.com | <strong>Online Radio:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fvideo&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2019%2F12%2F21%2F21032438%2Fliverpool-flamengo-club-world-cup-final-2019-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">LFCTV GO</a></p>
<h2 id="WZj0XL"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
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<p lang="in" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LFC</a> starting XI v Flamengo: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Mane, Firmino <br><br>Subs: Adrian, Lonergan, Van den Berg, Williams, Hoever, Milner, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Jones, Elliott, Shaqiri, Origi</p>— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaReddy_/status/1208419119684628481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2019</a>
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<h2 id="u7QNCb"><strong>FLAMENGO</strong></h2>
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<p lang="pt" dir="ltr">Nosso Time é a Gente em Campo! O Mengão está escalado para enfrentar o Liverpool pela decisão do Mundial de Clubes. VAMOS, FLAMENGO! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLAxLIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FLAxLIV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClubWC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClubWC</a> <a href="https://t.co/dkUiffLn8q">pic.twitter.com/dkUiffLn8q</a></p>— Flamengo (@Flamengo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Flamengo/status/1208423753132249091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2019</a>
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<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="lX2JDp">
<h2 id="Pzui3E"><strong>FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS</strong></h2>
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<h2 id="pwPO9L"><strong>SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS</strong></h2>
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<h2 id="EW7LN2"><strong>EXTRA TIME HIGHLIGHTS</strong></h2>
<p id="0fSWlx"><a href="https://streamvi.com/watch.php?video=1576957112"><strong>Firmino 99’</strong></a></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="fLTUuK">
<h2 id="bkCXkE"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="rIkqc4">If you haven’t already, sign up for an SB Nation account and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">join the conversation on The Liverpool Offside,</a> where we’ll have full coverage of every Liverpool match this season, breaking news, opinion, and tactical discussion.</p>
<h5 id="Ylt5O4">*Liverpool Offside has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Liverpool Offside may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.</h5>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2019/12/21/21032438/liverpool-flamengo-club-world-cup-final-2019-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streamingepicskyline2019-12-21T03:00:00+00:002019-12-21T03:00:00+00:00Liverpool Winning the Club World Cup Would Be “Like Landing on the Moon,” says Jürgen Klopp
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<img alt="Previews - FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t6dC8w75BYr6LxVRpkq6ASvpf_A=/0x1:5228x3486/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65950966/1195034428.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Jürgen Klopp will hope to do what no Liverpool manager has done before.</p> <p id="7y9bGQ">Just another Saturday in Qatar for many but a day that could be long remembered for <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> and Flamengo supporters. The two football clubs will contest the Club <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> at the Khalifa International Stadium. Jürgen Klopp will have set himself the goal of bringing the World Champions trophy to Liverpool for the very first time. </p>
<p id="meG2lF">The competition seems to garner far more attention outside of Europe where the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> is considered to be the last word on which is the best team in the world. But Klopp has earned greater respect for the tournament since living amongst it over the passed week. </p>
<p id="kyDbSb">The manager has always wanted to win the thing, knowing it will be a feather in the cap of everybody involved with the club. Now Klopp has just hours to go to make sure his preparations are spot on and his players are ready to take on an opponent that is largely unknown to them.</p>
<p id="pydfaI">“I don’t know how you approach something that has never been done before, like landing on the moon,” said Klopp.</p>
<p id="kVFztN">“We’ll just try to play a really, really good game and hope to win against a good side.</p>
<p id="dg9xlu">“You don’t write history beforehand, you do something and then everybody tells you later ‘you wrote history’. I have no clue whether it would be history.</p>
<p id="FRxjs8">“Winning it would be great and I don’t even know exactly know how the trophy looks but I didn’t know that about the UEFA Super Cup either and that is a good example.</p>
<p id="tCVAN3">“Before that, I didn’t know how people spoke about it... Before the game people said ‘do you really need it?’.</p>
<p id="Z9L8vP">“Then you play it and you win it and it feels incredible. It was really a big one.”</p>
<p id="2aA67I">Flamengo have quite a few talented players that will try and cause Liverpool problems but, if anything, the manager is more concerned with the emotional lift the Brazilian team have been getting from their homeland while English media largely ignores the event.</p>
<p id="QchQCx">“They have the advantage of everybody tells them every day how much it means to them, and we get told all the time ‘why are you here?’.”</p>
<p id="tDntiQ">Winning silverware is the ultimate measure of a club’s success. The Club World Cup isn’t the competition you think of when you’re dreaming of wild footballing adventures but it’s yet another test of Liverpool’s mettle and hopefully a trophy for the cabinet.</p>
<p id="SCgAvM"></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2019/12/21/21032260/liverpool-winning-club-world-cup-like-landing-on-the-moon-says-jurgen-klopp-flamengoMatt Wood2019-12-20T16:30:00+00:002019-12-20T16:30:00+00:00Club World Cup Final Preview: Liverpool vs. Flamengo
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<img alt="Previews - FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s9B-d5P558qXvkAA9YvOpW5_ilo=/0x913:4000x3580/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65946423/1195055220.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Club World Cup Final is here! Is it exciting?!</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="qm9v04">
<h2 id="BqgYiQ">Liverpool vs. Flamengo</h2>
<h5 id="gH6SAI">| Saturday, December 21st |<br>Club <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> Final | Khalifa International Stadium<br>17:30PM BST / 12:30AM EST</h5>
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<p id="9bYlBy">Saturday’s final is a chance for Liverpool to secure their first Club World Cup trophy. Jürgen Klopp’s side beat Monterrey in the semi-final with a line-up full of surprises. Now, the manager will be hoping to have a few more of his first team players available for selection against Flamengo, winners of South America’s Copa Libertadores.</p>
<p id="206d3Z">Gini Wijnaldum’s involvement isn’t so assured due to his recovering from a muscle injury picked up against Watford. But Virgil van Dijk is expected to return to the XI. That would stand the defense in good stead and allow <span>Jordan Henderson</span> to move back into the midfield. </p>
<p id="EcvVA1">Klopp’s other midfield choices are less predictable. Naby Keita has has been in great form of late but I wouldn’t say it’s likely for him to start two games in a row. It’s possible, though. It’s the same for <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span>. </p>
<p id="pQ2iNX">The manager often prefers <span>James Milner</span> in big games and given that the vice captain was substituted in the second half on Wednesday, he’s probably in line for a start in the final. </p>
<p id="5Azk1Q">At the business end of the pitch you can bet the front three of <span>Mohamed Salah</span>, Sadio Mané, and <span>Roberto Firmino</span> will all be in the team if they’re fit and ready on the day.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="9PlJON">
<h5 id="unXFb5"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</strong></h5>
<p id="Yyzs1U">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Keita, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mané</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="9WLJu3">
<p id="2wpFZv">As a non-follower of Brazilian football, Flamengo are a mystery to me. But I’ve been finding some information on their road to the Club World Cup. A couple of interesting full back tidbits: ex-<a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> and Atletico Madrid left-back <span>Filipe Luis</span> plays for Flamengo, as does ex-<a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich</a> right back Rafinha. They also have a player who just goes by “Bill.” Like I said, interesting.</p>
<p id="0E2ZpH">I’ve learned that manager Jorge Jesus has formed an attacking side at Flamengo that largely bucks the trend among Brazilian clubs to play deep and compact and then spring on the counter. Jesus has created a team that wants to bring the action to their opponent. Of course, Flamengo’s weakness would be expanding their play too much and providing open spaces for Liverpool to exploit.</p>
<p id="CFBmBi">Flamengo’s main goal-scoring threats are Gabriel Barbosa and Bruno Henrique, who was on the scoresheet in Qatar against Al Hilal, adding to the bag of goals they’ve filled for the club over their season.</p>
<p id="O98dCT">On paper, you’d have to go with Liverpool for the win in this final. But the unknown factor in these matches between teams who have never played one another can move the needle in unexpected ways. </p>
<p id="m7ZPUz">From the start I’m expecting Klopp to bring the full force of Liverpool’s attack and press against Flamengo. Stun them early with some dynamite moves, from the front three or elsewhere, I’m not bothered. Then control and dominate for an hour plus until they hand Henderson the trophy. </p>
<p id="7LggaC">Afterwards, it’s a sweaty cake and cookies mixer in the dressing room and then back to England for the real business of winning the Premier League.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="UEGZqa">
<h5 id="Ye0nud">What the Managers Said</h5>
<p id="CTrSzo"><strong>Jürgen Klopp:</strong> “You said I never played against a Brazilian team. That’s true, but Flamengo never played against a team like Liverpool as well. We will see who can make more of this tomorrow night.”</p>
<p id="V88iP7"><strong>Jorge Jesus: “</strong>Others may think Liverpool are better, but if we get to the final we will see who is better. And I believe the best will be Flamengo, but it’s the hardest title we’ll ever play.”</p>
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<h5 id="789Puw">The Officials</h5>
<p id="rZVDGz"><strong>Referee:</strong> AL JASSIM Abdulrahman<br><strong>Assistant referees:</strong> AL MARRI Taleb, ALMAQALEH Saoud Ahmed<br><strong>Fourth official:</strong> GHORBAL Mustapha<br><strong>VAR:</strong> MARTINEZ MUNUERA Juan<br><strong>Assistant VAR:</strong> Esteban OSTOJICH</p>
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<p id="b8UBoe">Kickoff is set for 17:30PM BST/12:30AM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3328868/liverpool-vs-norwich-city/">LiveSoccerTV</a>.</p>
<p id="gMrAwU">In the meantime, and as always, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
<p id="YIZslY"></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2019/12/20/21031273/liverpool-flamengo-club-world-cup-final-2019-preview-team-news-predicted-lineup-how-to-watchMatt Wood2019-12-20T14:00:00+00:002019-12-20T14:00:00+00:00Jürgen Klopp on Virgil van Dijk and Gini Wijnaldum’s Availability Against Flamengo
<figure>
<img alt="Liverpool FC v KRC Genk: Group E - UEFA Champions League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2bjHXJg51LxFSe-umbX8cWJWsr4=/0x0:3470x2313/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65945131/1180330988.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>dPhoto by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool manager is still waiting to discover his options for the Club World Cup Final team sheet.</p> <p id="TBpqQB">It was an unexpected <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> team that faced Monterrey in the Club <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> semi-final. Both Virgil van Dijk and Gini Wijnaldum were missing from the squad, forcing <span>Jordan Henderson</span> into an ultimately successful but hopefully never to be seen again centre back partnership with Joe Gomez. The midfield was anchored by Adam Lallana. It was something. </p>
<p id="Mgvv0L">Wijnaldum has been recovering from a muscle injury that happened in the 2-0 win against Watford. Gini’s involvement in the final could likely come from the bench as Klopp may not want to risk the Dutchman’s future fitness by aggravating his injury further.</p>
<p id="aprFV3">Van Dijk was out ill and today the manager announced Virgil had trained so I’d say he’s in the clear for Saturday’s final with Flamengo. Klopp was more noncommittal. </p>
<p id="V6dtBG">“We will see on both things actually,” said Klopp.</p>
<p id="5SC45d">“Virgil was part of training today. Gini had a session. We will see how it looks at the end.</p>
<p id="MiVDvB">“How you can imagine, it was Wednesday night when we played and now it’s Friday, so we use each hour for recovery and all that stuff. That’s what we did and we will see who we can line up tomorrow.”</p>
<p id="DWtZyQ">Van Dijk’s involvement pretty much assures Liverpool’s defensive stability against Flamengo. And it puts Henderson back into the midfield doing midfield things. Gini will hate to miss out on the starting XI but I think, between the captain, <span>James Milner</span>, <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span>, Naby Keita, <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span>, and Lallana, the manager has too many other midfield players who are fit for the Dutchman to be risked.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2019/12/20/21031229/jurgen-klopp-on-virgil-van-dijk-and-gini-wijnaldum-availability-against-flamengoMatt Wood2019-12-19T03:00:00+00:002019-12-19T03:00:00+00:00Virgil Van Dijk Hopes to Recover From Illness Ahead of Club World Cup Final
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session Ahead Of Their FIFA World Club Cup Semi-Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WRy-vJiO92bU6zjaWdONltLvJzU=/0x3:4765x3180/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65937054/1194496610.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Jürgen Klopp waits to see if Van Dijk will recover in time to face Flamengo on Saturday.</p> <p id="LzwVaj">Before <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>’s Club <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> semi-final with Monterrey, Jürgen Klopp was positive about Virgil van Dijk’s involvement even though the Dutchman had missed training ahead the match. But it was clear from the team sheet that the centre-back wasn’t fit to play when his name wasn’t even on the list. Van Dijk was replaced in the team with <span>Jordan Henderson</span>, partnering <span>Joe Gomez</span>. I didn’t have the best feeling about it.</p>
<p id="31AVfE">As Klopp’s squad is already desperately thin at the back due to the injuries of Joël Matip and <span>Dejan Lovren</span>, Van Dijk’s absence was worrying. But the big centre back could very well return to the XI for Saturday’s final against Flamengo. Van Dijk has been ill since arriving in Qatar but could rally in the next couple of days. </p>
<p id="7d0FVN">“It was an easy decision actually because he couldn’t train,” said Klopp.</p>
<p id="Guym7H">“Yes, he was yesterday on the [training] pitch for a couple of minutes until the media left [the session] and then, unfortunately, he had to leave as well. Not because of the media, just because he didn’t feel well.</p>
<p id="qvuKO2">“So yesterday no training was possible, this morning no training possible, so it was an easy decision – he couldn’t play. It was difficult for Hendo to deal with, but he did really good.</p>
<p id="cOIk8u">“We will see, I don’t know how quick he can recover. We will see.”</p>
<p id="x6kdoa">If Van Dijk can get out onto the training pitch by Friday he’ll be in the team against Flamengo. That’s possible, I’ll keep telling myself. Flamengo will no doubt be ready with plans to attack Henderson’s weaknesses should he play again at centre half. And the Brazilian team will have days to study him. </p>
<p id="dtYOhk">On the other hand, Henderson will be one game wiser playing in the defensive unit and sharper because of it. Still, Van Dijk’s inclusion would dramatically strengthen the team. For now, we wait. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2019/12/19/21029044/virgil-van-dijk-hopes-recover-from-illness-ahead-club-world-cup-final-joe-gomez-jordan-hendersonMatt Wood