Roberto Firmino struck in stoppage time as Liverpool laboured to a 2-1 victory over Monterrey on Wednesday and a place in the Club World Cup final. Naby Keita opened the scoring for the European champions Liverpool in the 12th but Rogelio Funes Mori responded two minutes later, and Monterrey frustrated Juergen Klopp's side until Firmino flicked home at the death.

In Saturday's final at the Khalifa Stadium, Liverpool meet South American champions Flamengo of Brazil who beat Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 3-1 in the first semi-final on Tuesday. Liverpool missed top defender Virgil van Dijk due to illness while Sadio Mane and Firmino didn't start as Klopp rang the changes at the unbeaten Premier League leaders.

They had a bright start when Mohamed Salah released Keita to score unmarked in front of goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero into the right corner in the 12th. But Monterrey were level just two minutes later. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker saved well from Jes s Gallardo but Funes Mori tapped home on the rebound.

Barovero then denied James Milner while Alsson denied the lively Dorlan Pabon on the half-hour mark and again in the 50th on a free-kick as the central and North American champions defended well and tried to counter-attack. Still Keita got another chance in the 58th but his unmarked shot from some 12 metres wasn't placed well and easily saved by Barovero.

Divock Origi then miscued on James Milner's pass shortly after Mane replaced Xherdan Shaquiri, and Firmino then also came on to grab the late winner at the near post, after Salah had kept the ball in play and Trent Alexander-Arnold crossed from the right.

Source: QNA

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Binu Cherian

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