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Liverpool team news: Predicted 4-2-3-1 line up vs Flamengo – Van Dijk, Wijnaldum latest
Liverpool are waiting on the fitness of both Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum ahead of the Club World Cup final against Flamengo this afternoon (5.30pm GMT).
Liverpool: Klopp looks ahead to Club World Cup final
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given an update on the fitness of both Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum prior to the Club World Cup final against Flamengo. The Dutch stars missed the 2-1 victory over Monterrey but are now in contention to feature in the showpiece event at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Van Dijk was struck down by an illness before the semi-final, forcing Jordan Henderson to deputise in an unfamiliar centre-back role.
Meanwhile, Wijnaldum missed the clash after being forced off injured against Watford last weekend but both players have returned to training ahead of the meeting with Flamengo.
When asked about Van Dijk and Wijnaldum in his pre-match press conference, Klopp said: “We will see on both things actually.
“Virgil was part of training today. Gini had a session. We will see how it looks at the end.
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“We have no new concerns. We will use each hour for recovery and we will see who we can line up tomorrow.”
Sepp van den Berg was a late addition to Liverpool’s squad in Qatar and could feature, although Van Dijk looks likely to return in central defence.
However, Wijnaldum is less likely to be risked considering the Reds’ busy schedule with clashes against Leicester, Wolves and Sheffield United on the way.
Klopp is not expected to tinker with his squad too much ahead of the final, with Alisson, Joe Gomez and Andrew Robertson expected to start once again.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold could replace James Milner at right-back, although the veteran is likely to join Henderson and push forward into midfield.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is most likely to complete the midfield trio but Naby Keita and Adam Lallana are also in contention after all three started against Monterrey.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi could drop to the bench if Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane return alongside Mohamed Salah in attack.
Liverpool have never won the Club World Cup but have taken a full-strength squad to the Middle East, sacrificing their Carabao Cup chances in the process.
Under-23s manager Neil Critchley took charge of a youthful side in the quarter-final against Aston Villa on Tuesday, in which the Reds slipped to a 5-0 defeat.
And Liverpool’s gamble almost backfired with a last-minute goal from Firmino required to see off Monterrey on Wednesday.
No English team has won the trophy since Manchester United in 2008, while the Reds lost the 2005 final to Sao Paolo in their most recent appearance.
Flamengo will provide a stern test with just one defeat in their last 31 matches across all competitions, including last month’s Copa Libertadores final comeback against River Plate.
When asked if his side see this match as a chance to become legends, Klopp said: “It is not something I will use in the meeting. “You can become a legend if you win the competition” - that takes your mind away from the game.
“If people think of the boys as legends after the game and at the end of their careers, wonderful.
“The boys wanted to play, the club wanted to play. That’s why we are here. If Flamengo win, they have a party. We play Leicester City.
“We cannot make it bigger for Europe but it is the most important for us.”
Liverpool predicted line-up vs Flamengo – Club World Cup
(4–3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Mane, Firmino