Liverpool will become world champions for the first time in their 127-year history if they beat Flamengo in Qatar this evening.
The match against the Copa Libertadores winners represents the club’s fourth attempt to conquer the globe, following defeats in 1981 (against today’s opponents), 1984 and 2005.
Reds boss Jürgen Klopp, meanwhile, would become the first German coach ever to lift the trophy in its current format (since 2005).
The only other German managers to win the tournament in any of its guises are Dettmar Cramer (1976) and Ottmar Hitzfeld (2001) – both with Bayern Munich.
European teams have won each of the last six finals (and 11 of the last 12) since Corinthians beat Chelsea 1-0 in 2012.
Naby Keita has scored six goals in his last 13 starts for the Reds, netting in each of his last three Liverpool appearances.
They have scored 13 goals from the 76th minute onwards this season – but the most (15) have come between the 31st minute and half-time.
In 2019, Klopp’s men have scored 25 goals from the 80th minute onwards.
Jorge Jesus took charge of Flamengo in June with the club third in the league and eight points behind the leaders after 10 games. They went on to win the title by 16 points, losing only four of 38 matches.
Jesus has managed against Liverpool twice. He was with Benfica when the teams clashed in the Europa League quarter-final in 2010; his side won 2-1 in Lisbon before losing 4-1 at Anfield in the return.
Flamengo qualified for the Club World Cup by winning their second Copa Libertadores, and their first in 38 years, coming from behind to win 2-1 against River Plate in the final in Lima.
