Firmino strikes late as Liverpool pip Monterrey to enter Club World Cup final

DOHA: Roberto Firmino came off the bench late to score a stoppage time winner for Liverpool who sealed a 2-1 victory over gutsy Monterrey in the thrilling second semi-final of FIFA Club World Cup.

The runaway Premier League leaders were expected to win the clash – watched by 45,416 spectators at the Khalifa International Stadium - comfortably but the CONCACAF Champions League winners gave them a run for money before going down fighting.

Liverpool – seeking their maiden FIFA Club World Cup title – will take on Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo in the final on Saturday at the same venue.

Naby Keita fired first goal for Liverpool in 11th minute, with Rogelio Funes Mori pulling the goal back for Monterrey just three minutes later, before Firmino’s winner of a fine assist by another substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold, sealed the victory for Liverpool in first minute of stoppage time.

“Wonderful goal, great game, super atmosphere,” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said after the match.

“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.”

Klopp made five changes from the Reds side that defeated Watford 2-0 in Saturday’s Premier League clash, with centre-back Virgil van Dijk missing the game due to illness.

The Reds took early grip of the match against Monterrey, who showed a fearless approach against the European champions.

Five minutes after the start, striker Xherdan Shaqiri led the first attack for Liverpool by clearing Monterrey defenders but his attempt went wide. It just took six more minutes for the European giants to score first goal through Keita, who finished the ball clinically after a fine assist by feared striker Mohamed Salah.

The goal charged up the Mexican side as Liverpool’s lead did not last for over more than three minutes, with Funes Mori - who also scored one goal in Al Sadd victory – leveled the score in a free-kick drama from 35-plus yards. Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker saved the overhead-kick well but the ball found Mori who slotted home their first goal.

In another brilliance, Egyptian superstar Salah set midfielder James Milner whose push was blocked by goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero.

By the end of well-disciplined first 30 minutes, Liverpool was clearly on top with 75 percent of ball possession over the Mexican side.

While Liverpool continued to test Monterrey defenders, the Mexicans attacked their goal in the 37th minute, but a brilliant attempt from a tight angle by captain Dorlan Pabon was punched away by Alisson.

Liverpool pushed for a lead with repeated attacks but both the teams went in the halftime, with score locked at 1-1.

Monterrey emerged as the better side at the start of second session as Alisson had to make double saves in as many minutes after their defender Leonel Vangioni was handed a yellow card – the first of the night – by Chilean referee Roberto Tobar in 47th minute.

Liverpool defender Joseph Gomez became the second player to get the caution after 11 minutes. Monterrey’s Jesus Gallardo was the other player to be booked.

Meanwhile, Liverpool could have regained the lead but Keita’s hit after beating two defenders was well blocked by keeper Barovera as stalemate remained after an hour.

The European champions, backed by their cheering fans, became more aggressive in search of their second goal, and Divock Origi cleared the target but the linesman had his flag up immediately for offside.

With not more than 22 minutes left in the match, Klopp decided to send forward Sadio Mane in place of Shaqiri, who looked off colour last night. Monterrey, on the other hand, continued to check Liverpool defense with Funes Mori taking another shot, saved by Alisson.

The Reds also created an opportunity in 73rd minute with Milner’s cross finding Origi, who just missed the target before Klopp brought in Alexander-Arnold in place of Milner.

With both teams desperate for a goal, referee booked both Klopp and Monterrey manager Antonio Mohamed following an argument between them over a second yellow card for Joe Gomez.

Monterrey made their first change with Miguel Layun replacing Cesar Montes before Firmino coming in with just five minutes left to replace Origi as Liverpool continued to look for a late winner, which the Brazilian eventually found.

It was Salah again, who set up the goal with a pass to Alexander-Arnold whose cross was brilliant, with Firmino making no mistake to score the all-important goal.

Liverpool’s final with Flamengo will kick off at 8:30pm on Saturday while Al Hilal and Monterrey are scheduled to play the third-place play-off at 5:30pm the same day.