MONTERREY vs LIVERPOOL
- The winner will play Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo in Saturday’s final
- Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum misses out tonight with a muscle injury
- The match will take place at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar
- Ki-Jana Hoever, Sepp Van Den Berg and Caoimhin Kelleher have joined Liverpool’s squad
Monterrey XI: Barovero, Sanchez, Montes, Fuenes, Pabon, Ortiz, Vangioni, Gallardo, Pizarro, Medina, Rodriguez
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Milner, Henderson, Gomez, Robertson, Keita, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri, Salah, Origi
No thanks…
Did you hear that Caoimhin Kelleher flew out to Qatar to join up with the Liverpool squad today?
The Cork shot-stopper conceded five goals against Aston Villa on Tuesday night as the Reds were knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
But he joins fellow Liverpool youngsters Ki-Jana Hoever and Sepp van den Berg on a flight to the Middle East.
Nothing is impossible
That’s the message from Monterrey coach Antonio Mohamed, who insists his side have not come just to participate.
The CONCACAF Champions League winners are making their fourth appearance in this tournament and, although Jurgen Klopp’s side have vastly better squad on paper, Mohamed said they would ensure it was not easy for the European champions.
“We have a big ambition to play against Liverpool and we came to compete strongly at this mega-tournament,” he said. “Jurgen Klopp is one of the best managers and Liverpool is maybe the best team in the world right now.
“We have made a huge effort to reach this stage and have come to compete irrespective of which team or manager we are facing. We came here to play and win the match with our weapons. We didn’t come to participate in this tournament and let Liverpool win against us. Nothing is impossible in football.”
Rule reminder
I’d better keep you in the loop with tonight’s rules and regulations. Not that I knew what they were until about three minutes ago…
This evening’s match will head to extra-time if scores are level after 90 minutes and then potentially a penalty shootout. VAR is also in operation.
Twitter reaction
Well that didn’t take long. The team sheets have been out for less than 10 minutes and already ‘Jordan Henderson CB’ is trending on Twitter.
Samue: Jordan Henderson is our CB. Absolute scenes when we keep another clean sheet.
Owen: Super Jordan Henderson at centre back is there anything the best captain in the world can’t do?!
Ellyn: Wow! I didn’t realise how many expert coaches/managers who have no experience or coaching badges telling Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp what they should of done last night and what team should be playing tonight!
I’m no expert but I’m sensing an element of sarcasm from Ellyn…
The starting XI
A quick glance tells me that Jurgen Klopp has made FIVE changes from the victory over Liverpool. No sign of Virgil van Dijk either…
Monterrey XI: Barovero, Sanchez, Montes, Fuenes, Pabon, Ortiz, Vangioni, Gallardo, Pizarro, Medina, Rodriguez.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Milner, Henderson, Gomez, Robertson, Keita, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri, Salah, Origi
Subs: Adrian, Lonergan, Williams, Alexander-Arnold, Jones, Mane, Firmino.
MONTERREY vs LIVERPOOL
Defenders Ki-Jana Hoever and Sepp Van Den Berg and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher are all flying out to join Liverpool’s senior squad in Qatar.
However, Harvey Elliott, who impressed in the Carabao Cup defeat at Aston Villa as part of the youngest team in the club’s history, will not be making the trip.
After 20 senior players flew out on Sunday only three places were left available, one of which had to be a goalkeeper as Liverpool are obligated to name three in their Club World Cup squad.
With only two fit first-team centre-backs in Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Hoever, who came off with cramp against Villa but has been passed fit, and Van Den Berg will provide some cover for Jurgen Klopp if necessary.
Liverpool play their semi-final against Mexican side Monterrey on Wednesday evening.