Monterrey coach Antonio Mohamed had promised to put up a strong fight against European champions Liverpool and his players did more than just that at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday.
The Mexican side were on par with the Premier League leaders for most of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar semi-final encounter, but a cruel injury-time goal from Roberto Firmino knocked them out of the competition.
While Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp heaved a sigh of relief at the final whistle after a narrow 2-1 win, he will know his side will have to fare much better against South American champions Flamengo in Saturday’s final, if they are to become club world champions for the first time.
Klopp yesterday went in with five changes from last week’s league win over Watford, with Sadio Mane, Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold warming the bench while influential defender Virgil van Dijk missed out due to cold. That meant the German manager was forced to start with a makeshift defence with captain Jordan Henderson playing as centre-back alongside regular defenders Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson, with James Milner taking the right-back role.
Liverpool did dominate the early proceedings and controlled possession but Monterrey was just waiting for the counter-attack. The Mexican side’s forwards Dorlan Pabon and Rogelio Funes Moria gave a tough time to Liverpool’s back four.
But it was Mohamed Salah’s terrific assist that put Liverpool in front. After the Egyptian star was denied by the Monterrey defence in the eighth minute, Salah provided an excellent reverse ball pass for Naby Keita four minutes later. While Salah’s ball pierced through the Monterrey defence, Keita timed his run to the box perfectly to put Liverpool ahead.
If the Reds thought they would run away with the game, they were wrong as Monterrey hit back immediately. With Jesus Gallardo’s shot blocked by Alisson Becker, the rebound was latched onto by Rogelio Funes Mori, who controlled the ball with his first touch and then slammed the ball into the net, with the Liverpool goalkeeper diving in vain.
With a spring in their step after drawing level, Monterrey looked much bigger threat than their fancied opponents. In fact, Liverpool were bailed out of trouble on few occasions by Alisson, with the Brazilian keeper enjoying a terrific game.
In the 27th minute, Alisson dived to his right to block a Pabon shot from 30 yards. He was called into action again ten minutes later with the Liverpool stopper having to deny the Monterrey captain with a crucial late save, which fell to Gallardo but the defender was late onto the ball.
Salah, meanwhile, continued to cause Monterrey trouble but his back flip pass for Milner was saved by Argentine goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero. With two minutes remaining for half time, Keita too had a chance for his second goal, but failed to put it past Barovero after having almost rounded the keeper.
Monterrey began the second half brightly and could have had their lead if not for Alisson’s intervention. In the 50th minute, the goalkeeper produced another excellent save, this time palming away a dangerous free-kick from Pabon from the edge of the box.
Liverpool did have chances at the other end, but Keita’s left-footed low shot was chested away by Barovero in the 58th minute.
With time running out, Klopp brought in Mane for ineffective Xherdan Shaqiri, while Alexander-Arnold replaced the veteran Milner, who made his 200th appearance for the club yesterday. Klopp also had a touchline argument with Mohamed, with both managers shown yellow card by the referee.
Mane did have an opportunity to calm Klopp’s nerves in the 68th minute, but the Senegal forward’s shot was easily grasped by Barovero. With extra time looming, Klopp called on Firmino in place of Divock Origi and the Brazilian duly rewarded his manager with a crucial goal.
In the first of the three-minute stoppage time, Monterrey players heart was broken as Firmino tapped in from a close range after a sumptuous ball from Alexander-Arnold.
Klopp later paid tribute to Alisson for saving Liverpool’s blushes.
“All you need is Alisson. He was there in the decisive moments. A really hard game and then you can bring on the boys. We have brought in a few kids and see what we can do line-up wise. We want to play the final and see what we can do,” he said.
The Liverpool manager praised the atmosphere at Khalifa, with 45,416 fans packing the stadium. “Wonderful goal, great game, super atmosphere,” he said.
Liverpool’s Naby Keita (right) is closed down by Monterrey goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero during the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday.
