WORLD ORDER
Klopp’s inspired men are making their own
his determination to deliver a first Club World Cup to Anfield by fielding a full-strength team despite Liverpool’s daunting fixture list, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ankle injury another concern for a growing casualty list.
He was rewarded with a victory Liverpool deserved.
They should have won more comfortably and you began to fear more disappointment in a trophy which has slipped away from them in the past.
But this team never give up, they have the character and nerve to leave it late, and every match produces a different hero. Jordan Henderson was outstanding in midfield, Firmino took the headlines with the winner (top, and celebrating, centre) while Joe Gomez was impressive at the back.
England star Gomez is potentially the best centraldefensive partner for Virgil van Dijk when fully fit. He underlined that with a standout performance, making crucial interceptions and blocks. Nothing got past him.
It has been a frustrating 2019 for Gomez because injuries have interrupted his rhythm and form but it can be a good year ahead if he can stay fit.
The 22-year-old said: “I have had periods of not being involved in things like this so that’s why I just want to savour every moment. It’s a blessing to be a part of this club. I think in the future I am going to look back and think ‘That was a really special team to be a part of.’ To be involved in things like this... yeah. It’s a big blessing.
“We are trying to make winning trophies a habit. That is what we are trying to do with the mindset in this team. Look at it – we don’t get that penalty in the last minute and you think our heads might go.
“It is a final on the world stage. We kept our heads and we kept playing and then Bobby pops up. That’s the mentality we are trying to build. It’s a great characteristic and who knows where it can take us.”
LIVERPOOL have become the second English side to win the FIFA Club World Cup, and the first since Manchester United in 2008.
FLAMENGO are the fourth Brazilian club to finish as Club World Cup runners-up (also Vasco da Gama in 2000, Santos in 2011 & Grêmio in 2017); no other nation has more second-place finishes (level with Argentina). THIS was only the fourth FIFA Club World Cup final to go to extra-time, after 2000, 2009 and 2016. EUROPEAN sides have now won 12 of the last 13 Club World Cup tournaments, including each of the last seven consecutively.
ROBERTO FIRMINO has scored in back-to-back appearances for Liverpool in all competitions for the first time since January, netting the winning goal in both of their matches at the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup. SADIO MANE has been directly involved in more goals in all competitions in 2019 than any other Liverpool player (38 – 30 goals, 8 assists), with only Raheem Sterling (44) and Sergio Aguero (39) involved in more among players for all Premier L eague clubs this calendar year.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK has paid tribute to Jordan Henderson after his inspirational captain’s performance.
Henderson (above, with boss Jurgen Klopp) was outstanding as Liverpool won the Club World Cup for the first time and has almost become the unsung hero of Klopp’s all-conquering team.
Kop defender Van Dijk said: “He’s having a fantastic season. He’s been doing fantastically for us whether he’s filling in for Fabinho or playing as a right midfielder. On and off the pitch he is very important for us whether he plays or not. We all respect him on that level.
“He was outstanding when he played centrehalf (in the semi-final). I was really proud of him. I told him after the game. He has got a lot more respect for what we do at the back as well. It’s not easy and I know sometimes we make it look a bit easy but it’s difficult. They played very direct as well in that game – long balls, tall striker. It was not easy for him but he dealt with it.”
Van Dijk believes that the trophy deserves a special place in the club’s history. He added: “We are the first Liverpool team to win it so we can be very proud.
“Obviously it’s something special. We got what we came here for. We gave everything that we had.
“We had Flamengo fans next to our hotel and they were partying the whole time as well. We had already a feeling. I know how big Flamengo is as a club. We knew Brazil was living for them to win this. So I enjoyed the atmosphere, I enjoyed the passion they had. They made it tough for us.”