Liverpool crowned world champions for the first time

An extra-time goal from Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Brazil's Flamengo to win the Club World Cup at the Khalifa International stadium on Saturday.

Brazilian Firmino drilled home the winner in the ninth minute of extra time to secure victory for Juergen Klopp's European champions and Premier League leaders.

The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in normal time was when Firmino hit the post, two minutes after the break.

There was drama in stoppage time as Liverpool were awarded a penalty after the referee ruled that Sadio Mane had been brought down by Rafinha, but the decision was over-ruled after a VAR review found the challenge was made outside the area.

Liverpool lost midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second half to a knee injury -- the England international limping off after landing badly and hurting the same right knee which he suffered ligament damage to in 2018 and sidelined him for a year.

Congratulations to Liverpool FC and commiserations to Flamengo. 

So time (briefly) for Klopp's men to celebrate ahead of their Christmas and New Year Premier League schedule. 

A dramatic final and better than the 1-0 scoreline would suggest. 

Liverpool win the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup

Liverpool whack the ball away as the whistle sounds. 

Since scoring the goal Liverpool have looked solid and confident.

2 mins of time to be added

Salah off / Shaqiri on (LFC)

Lincoln blazes over for Fla.... a better chance won't come their way tonight.

Is there one more chance for Flamengo?

Five minutes remain in Doha.

Lallana fouled on the edge of the box as the clock ticks down. Danger here for the South American side. Salah and Alexander-Arnold over the ball. Henderson too moves into the picture with three red shirts over the ball. Alexander-A strikes and Alves pushes the ball away from danger.

Diego carded for a late challenge on Milner. 

Fla' work the ball well and Gabigol sees as Alisson intercepts.

Ten left here in Doha. 

Not sure that Flamengo have got much left in the tank with both teams looking extremely tired at this point of the final.

Gabigol has a left footed effort but the ball was always swerving away from Alisson's goal.

Flamengo must surely throw caution to the wind now with the closck tickimng down.

Off we go for the final time in Doha for this Club World Cup final. 

Origi on and goal scorer Firmino off.

End of the first  period of extra time. Liverpool 15' away from winning their first ever Club WC title.

2 mins of time to be added

Origi poised to make an entrance.

Big call for a Liverpool penalty as the ball hits (involuntarily) a Fla defender on the hand

Shots on target: LFC 5-2 FLA 

Fla' freekick which Vitinho sails over the bar. A poor effort from the substitute.

Lincoln on for Gerson.

Van Dijk has an effort smothered as Liverpool push looking for a second. 

Firmino carded for removing his shirt afyter the goal.

Keita off - Milner on

A classic Liverpool counter as Mane finds Firmino and the Brazilian shimmying to fool Alves. Great work from Henderson in finding the Senegalese striker. 

Much being said already about Flamengo's keeper Diego Alves and his amazing penalty saving ability when at Valencia! 

Van Dijk comes to Liverpool's rescue as Vitinho drives a dangerous ball into the box

The tempo really has dropped with fatigue kicking in now after two games in the week for both sides.

The striker is stretchered from the pitch. 

Gabigol goes to ground with it would appear a muscular problem.

City close the gap (slightly) at the top of the Premier League table coming behind to beat Leicester 3-1.

Off we go in Doha. Flamengo get the extra time underway.

We go again. Flamengo win the toss. 30 minutes ahead and exactly not what Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp would have wanted. 

The whistle sounds and it's extra time in Doha coming up.

We'll head to at least the 99th minute after that VAR check and delay. 

Rafinha also sees his carded overturned... what drama here in the final and in time added on ... In the end a drop ball awarded to the Brazilian team. 

Rafinha breaythes a big sigh of relief.

Correct call from the Qatari official 

Free kick awarded just outside the box. 

Just outside the area the screen would suggest. Al Jassim still looking at his monitor. It is a very, very close call.

Al Jassim off to consult the pitch-side screen

Awaiting the final verdict from VAR

Rafinha carded.... VAR to be consulted

Mane fouled as he bears down on goal.

Penalty for Liverpool

Vitinho carded, first Fla player in the book tonight

Five mins. of time to be added.

Great effort from Henderson as Alves tips over with the ball destined for the top corner. The keeper seems to have picked up a problem in making the save and needs medical assistance. 

5' left in Doha. We're heading towards extra rime 

The introduction of Ribas (Diego) in the Libertadores final and vs. Al Hilal in the CW Cup semi-final made a massive difference. Can the veteran play maker make an impact tonight?    

Diego on for Fla-Everton making way for the veteran.

Dangerous play from the Egyptian striker. 

Salah carded.

Liverpool push again with Alexander-Arnold getting a shot off with Alves gathering with ease. Diego poised to make an appearance from the bench for Flamengo. 

The 'Mane Express'

Great work from Mane weaving into the Flamengo box but his pull-back fails to find a manin red. Liverpool forcing the issue now with 12' left.

De Arrascaeta off/Vitinho on for Fla´

The ball is in the Flamengo net but it doesn't count with the flag up. Salah offside

Lallana on for the injured Oxlade-Chamberlain

Klopp will be forced to make the first change of the night as "The Ox" gets to his feet which is good news.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is in trouble after what appeared to be a bad fall. Looks like an ankle problem as the stretcher is brought on for the England international. Fingers crossed it's not serious ....

Still all square here in Doha as we head into the final 20' of the final.

Gabigol tries a spectacular overhead kick after a precision pass from Henrique.

Good build-up play from Flamengo as Van Dijk is called into clearance action deflecting a Gabigol effort.

Gabigol's loan deal with Flamengo expires in a week... Will he head back to Serie A with Inter?

No changes yet from either coach as we head into the final 30' of the final. 

Filipe Luis falls akwardly and needs  medical attention.

Salah fires over after good work, the flag was up once again .... This game really could go either way !

Another scare for Fla' as the ball reaches unmarked Firmino but the Brazilian fails to control the ball. Still the Brazilian fans winning the battle of noise in the stand!   

Gabigol fires on the Liverpool goal but fails to keep his effort down. The ball falls to the Fla No. 9 again and this time forces Alisson to save well.

Excellent build-up play from Liverpool as the ball falls to Salah as the Egyptian just pulls the ball wide of the post. A different Liverpool here after the interval !

Liverpool seem to have stepped up a gear, playing with added zest and intensity.  

Firminho hits the post after great work. Poor final hit after great build-up play from the No. 9.

The sides are back on the pitch. No changes at the break it would appear as the ref sounds the whistle.

Henderson or Everton? Which captain will end up holding aloft the FIFA Club World Cup trophy tonight?  

A panoramic view of the Khalifa Int. Stadium in Doha toninght 

Klopp (looking good in all black tonight) will be far from happy with what he's seen in Doha tonight.

The whistle sounds in Doha with 0-0 on the score board. Liverpool on top in the opening stages of the game bit Fla' in control (despite not really creating any goal openings) for the bulk of the half.

Mane could have been awarded a red for lashing out at Rafinha

Mane carded,  first name in the book tonight. 

Gabigol breaks but Alisson is alert and rushes from his area to clear.

Both keepers yet to really be tested with the opening 10' of action seeing the best scoring chances. The game is vibrant but could do with a little more goal mouth action. 

Liverpool look for a free-kick as it appeared that Kieta was impeded after a clever one-two with Salah.

Liverpool's direct rivals in the Premier League (Man City & Leicester) are currently in action with a 1-1 scoreline at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester after 39'.

Tonight is the night when Real Madrid give up the CW champions badge they've worn for the past three years. Despite starting as firm favourites, the badge could be heading to Brazil rather than to Liverpool from what we're seeing here in Doha. 

Klopp will be far from happy with what he's witnessed here in Doha. Flamengo still bossing the show here.  

Fla well ahead with possession at present

Great work from Gabigol, working the ball well through a series of one-twos but falls at the critical moment as he was lining up to shoot. 

Heading towards the 30 minute mark and despite a bright opening from Klopp's side. it's the Brazilian side who are on top here in Doha.

Joe Gomez comes to the rescue for the reds as Bruno Henrique squares to shoot. 

Flamengo starting to, dare I say it, dominate the action at the moment.

Henrique breaks into the box and just loses his footing as he squares to shoot. The flag was up however so it would not have counted.   

Bruno Henrique has been excellent in Flamengo's recent Libertadores success and in the semi-final win over Al-Hilal.

Flamengo build and the ball is pulled back from the by-line but fails to fall to a white shirt.   

The local Qatar Reds fan-group have been everywhere with Liverpool this week enjoying the opportunity to see their heroes up close. 

Some of the many thousand Fla' fans at the Khalifa Stadium tonight.

Flamengo fans back in Rio supporting the side from long distance

Flamengo shafding things slightñly possession-wise after 15'

Both teams now in "playing it cagey" mode with short passes around the defemnsive and central areas.  

A bright open game here in Doha as Mane fouls Arao. 

Better from Flamengo now as the Rio based side thread the ball around with poise and purpose after early domination from the Englsih side. 

Great long range effort from Trent Alexander-Arnold who sees his right footed effort go inches wide.

Great chance as the ball falls to Keita and he alos gets under the ball striking over. 

De Arrascaeta has a long range effort but blazes the ball high & wide.

Both teams wearing the same colours as the 1981 Intercontinental match when Fla' won out 3-0 in Tokyo.

Firmino is sent through for a one on one but loops the ball over Diego Alves' bar.  A major scare there for Flamengo.

Liverpool get us underway.....The 2019 FIFA CW Cup final is on !

Here's the AS English crew with their match predictions for tonight's game:

Rob: LFC 3-1 Flamengo

Robbie: LFC 2-0 Flamengo

Johnny: LFC 1-2 Flamengo

Paul: LFC 4-1 Flamengo 

The teams take to the pitch at a packed Khalifa Stadium. More Flamengo fans present it would appear. Liverpool in their classic all red with Flamengo in their predominantly white away kit.  

Tonight's match venue... the Khalifa Int. stadium, a ground that will also be used for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. 

Plenty of Reds fans in Doha too with many travelling from the Middle East 

Our very own Andy Hall outlined how the Club World Cup is the only major trophy absent from the Reds cabinet display. 

FIFA's top brass (Infantino) in attendance at the Khalifa Int. stadium today!

Tonight's match official is a local lad in Al Jassim with Spaniard Manuel Munuera in the VAR booth.

Flamengo looking to cap an incredible season with a CWC win tonight after dramatically winning the 2019 Copa Libertadores and romping to a confortable Serie A domestic win. An incredible feat for veteran coach Jorge Jesus.

A reminder of the starting XI's for the final:

The rain earlier in the week has cleared away from Doha and we´ll have a dry final tonight with a mild 18 C Celsius. Ideal conditions for players and fans alike. 

Apparently 15,000 Flamengo fans have made the trip to the Qatari capital with the famous Souk Waqif a sea of red & black.    

Neither of tonight's teams have ever lifted the Club World Cup with Liverpool being runners-up back in 2005 when they fell to Brazilian opposition in the shape of Sao Paolo. 

Memories of 1981 tonight when both the Reds and Fla faced off in the FIFA Intercontinental cup in Japan with the Brazilian side running out 3-0 winners on the night.

So, Van Dijk, Firmino and Mane all start for Liverpool after the latter two started from the bench on Wednesday with the Dutch defender now recovered from illness.

The Fla´XI is also out:

LFC XI confirmed

The action at the Khalifa International stadium (Doha, Qatar) starts at 1830 CET. 

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup final as Liverpool face Flamengo.