FIFA Club World Cup 2019 Final – Liverpool vs Flamengo Teams Preview & Prediction

Liverpool go head to head against Flamengo in the FIFA Club World Cup Final which is slated for tomorrow. This final will witness Liverpool taking on a team whose fans still cherish their last victory versus the Reds. Liverpool has taken a full-strength team to Qatar for the tournament and they are eyeing the world championship crown for the very first time in their history. Liverpool will not be taking Flamengo lightly at all, something reinforced by the way Monterrey gave them a tough fight in the semi-final.

Flamengo are managed by Jorge Jesus, their Portuguese gaffer and have a more European-esque style of playing football. Flamengo have already finished on top of the table in Brazilian Serie A and are known more for their attacking powers. They scored a whopping 22 goals more than Gremio, the next-best team in terms of attacking prowess but they had the 6^th best defense in the entire league, letting in 37 goals out of 38 games. This is something that Liverpool will have to exploit if they are to combat Flamengo’s high-strung attacks.

Flamengo already have Gabigol or Gabriel Barbosa who has been loaned from Inter Milan and he will be backed up by Everton Ribeiro, Bruno Henrique and Giorgian De Arrascaeta from Uruguay for the attacking quartet. Diego will also be an unpredictable bet although he may start on the bench. Flamengo have been at the peak of their abilities under Jesus in the current season, winning the Copa Libertadores and league title alike. They also have former Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha and ex-Atletico Madrid left-back Filipe Luis in the ranks.

Liverpool, however, will look to continue their trait of playing better against attacking teams who play their high line and it could be an exciting contest going forward. Flamengo won against Liverpool in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup, a predecessor to the FIFA Club World Cup tournament. The Flamengo team had the legendary Zico and other stars like Leandro and Junior who were all in World Cup team for 1982. This is the game that fans still cherish and they even hum the Em Dezembro de 81 song which emerged thereafter, about bamboozling English footballers.

How both teams match up?

Flamengo struggled initially versus Al Hilal in the semi-final, conceding their first goal before they recovered to win. Diego’s introduction was a plus point in their eventual 3-1 win and Bruno Henrique played well, scoring a goal and notching up two assists. Gabigol may be an unpredictable character and if Liverpool can rattle him then he may be hindered from playing his best game on the pitch. Flamengo fans feel that the team is raring to go and may end up defeating Liverpool in the final. While the team does have enough ability to cause a sudden upset, it does seem likely that Liverpool will romp home with this one.

What they have to watch out for is Bruno Henrique, Diego and Gabigol. The defense could be the team’s biggest weakness and this is what Liverpool will look to exploit with their superstar trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino forever ready to pounce and score goals. Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to have Virgil Van Djik back while Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana are expected to be in the playing eleven. Klopp has not ruled out Georginio Wijnaldum who was recovering from his hamstring injury and did not play in the semi-final match. Trent Alexander-Arnold may return along with Roberto Firmino as well for this game.

It will be an exciting match for sure and Flamengo may end up on the score sheet too although Liverpool may ultimately romp home with the victory, possibly by a margin of 2-3 goals as per predictions. Yet, what is sure is that Flamengo will certainly give them a run for their money!

FIFA Club World Cup 2019 Final Match Facts:

When does Liverpool vs Flamengo Match kick off?

Saturday, December 21st (17:30 UK / 20:30 local)

Where is Liverpool vs Flamengo Match being played?

Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha

What TV channel is Liverpool vs Flamengo on?

Liverpool vs Flamengo will be televised live on BBC One

Where I can watch live streaming of Liverpool vs Flamengo Match?

Liverpool vs Flamengo will be streamed live on BBC One