“We’ve conquered all of Europe, we’re never gonna stop,” goes the line in the Liverpool version of Allez, Allez, Allez. Jürgen Klopp’s European champions were true to the lyric in Doha and, on a night of high drama, quality and controversy, they conquered the world too. The song will need updating along with the champions’ wall at Melwood.
Roberto Firmino broke the hearts of his compatriots from Flamengo with the decisive goal in extra-time. The Brazil international had missed two clear chances in normal time but delivered when it counted to give Liverpool victory in the only available competition they had left to win. Runners-up in 1981, 1984 and 2005, Klopp’s team have achieved what no other side in the club’s illustrious history have managed before.
The reaction at the end spoke of the importance of the Club World Cup to Liverpool’s players, if not the wider European public. Firmino’s wild celebrations did too. Having collected Sadio Mané’s square pass, who had himself been released by Jordan Henderson’s superb ball, Firmino cut back inside Rodrigo Caio and goalkeeper Diego Alves to convert the all-important winner. His shirt was torn off as he raced towards the devastating Flamengo followers to celebrate. The booking he received was worth it.
An enthralling, high-quality 90 minutes had ended in utter bewilderment when Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim awarded Liverpool a stoppage time penalty for a foul by Rafinha on Mane as he shaped to shoot on goal. VAR showed Mane had been clipped a fraction outside the penalty area but, following a lengthy review by the on-field referee, both the penalty and the booking for Rafinha were overturned. Flamengo were unable to make the most of their reprieve although substitute Lincoln missed a fine chance to equalise in the final seconds of extra-time.
Liverpool got a taste of South America’s passion for this tournament when they emerged for their warm-up to piercing whistles from the estimated 15,000 Flamengo fans who had travelled to the game. The noise from the Brazilian contingent was incessant, although all that really mattered to Liverpool was Virgil van Dijk being present to hear it.
The commanding central defender was back in the side having missed the semi-final through illness. His first touch sent the ball quick and high over the top of the Flamengo defence. It was no accident. Liverpool were clearly under instructions to exploit their opponents’ high defensive line at every opportunity and should have taken advantage of it twice inside the opening five minutes but Firmino and Naby Keïta squandered their chances.
When Alexander-Arnold flashed a low drive just wide from more than 25 yards seconds later it seemed only a question of time before Liverpool’s commanding opening paid dividends. It was a false dawn. Flamengo always looked dangerous on the front foot given the quality of Bruno Henrique, Éverton Ribeiro and the prolific marksman Gabriel Barbosa, but they were well contained in the opening exchanges by the relentless pressing of Liverpool’s midfield three.
Gradually, however, they began to turn the tide with Gerson and Willian Arão increasingly influential in midfield. Klopp’s visible anger on the sidelines was not solely the result of an erratic refereeing display. The Liverpool manager’s sprint down the tunnel as soon as the half-time whistle blew was a clear sign of irritation with his team too.
Flamengo were quick to close down Alisson whenever the Liverpool keeper took possession and almost profited from one of his uncertain clearances when Arão intercepted to release Henrique. The left winger skipped away from Alexander-Arnold and drove low across goal where Van Dijk was on hand with an important clearance. Henrique escaped Liverpool’s right-back a second time when Marí played a long ball over the top but his shot was cut out by Joe Gomez who made a fine covering challenge.
Liverpool’s frustration mounted as the first half progressed. Salah copped an earful from his manager for squandering a glorious chance to punish Flamengo on the counter-attack. They were refused a clear free-kick on the edge of the penalty area when Keïta played a one-two with Salah and was taken out by Filipe Luís, and Sadio Mané, kept uncharacteristically quiet, was booked after tangling with Rafinha.
The second half opened with a flurry of chances and a repeat for Firmino. Collecting Henderson’s chip forward the striker flicked the ball over the head of Caio and steered a half-volley beyond Alves. It would have been a beautiful goal but Firmino’s shot struck the inside of the post and rolled across goal to safety.
Salah went close with an improvised touch on Alexander-Arnold’s driven cross into the area before Flamengo responded strongly. Alisson produced a superb save when Ribeiro created a first chance of the night for Barbosa. His powerful shot was destined for the bottom corner until Alisson’s strong right hand tipped the ball wide.
It was an absorbing final. Liverpool were forced to defend en masse at times while Flamengo continued to look vulnerable to the ball over the top. Salah almost capitalised on another but fired over after cutting inside on to his left foot.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was forced off after appearing to turn his ankle in a challenge with Ribeiro. Salah finally put the ball in the Brazilian’s net but was clearly offside in the buildup. Liverpool were at least finishing strongly. Mané finally began to find space to stretch Flamengo and was involved in an incisive move that resulted in Henderson testing Alves with a dipping shot from 25 yards before extra time began.