Liverpool have the title of the world's best team in their sights on their mid-season trip to Qatar as they face Monterrey in the Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

Jurgen Klopp's side won the Champions League for a sixth time in the summer to earn their place in this tournament, although they have never lifted this particular trophy before.

The first hurdle to doing so comes in the form of Mexican side and CONCACAF champions Monterrey, who beat Al-Sadd on Saturday to set up the showdown with Liverpool.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the Premier League side could line up for the contest.



How Liverpool could line up against Monterrey
Out: Dejan Lovren (thigh), Joel Matip (knee), Fabinho (ankle), Nathaniel Clyne (ankle)
Doubtful: Georginio Wijnaldum (muscle)

> Click here for Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

The extent to which Klopp rotates his side for the upcoming two games in this competition remains to be seen, but a certain degree of change is expected.

The very fact that Liverpool have taken their first-team squad out to Qatar and left an Under-23s side to face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup suggests that they are taking the competition seriously, but a growing injury list during a busy December schedule will undoubtedly make Klopp more cautious with one eye firmly on the Boxing Day visit to closest title challengers Leicester City.

Georginio Wijnaldum was the latest player to join that list when he limped off against Watford on Saturday, although the Dutchman has been deemed fit enough to travel with the squad out to Qatar.

Klopp is unlikely to risk Wijnaldum for this match unless he is passed fully fit, though, meaning that there could be starting opportunities for the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner in midfield.

There is less scope for rotation in defence, where injuries to Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have left Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as Liverpool's only two fit senior centre-backs.

At least one of the usual front three is likely to be rested, and it could be the turns of both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino to sit out - as was the case for the Merseyside derby at the start of the month.

Two youngsters have been included as part of the initial squad too, and both Neco Williams and Curtis Jones will be hopeful of getting chances to impress in Qatar.

https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/predicted-lineups/how-liverpool-could-line-up-against-monterrey_383168.html

Dominique*

Dominique

Lineup

Okay

Van dijk out due to illness henderson (CB) front three origi salah shaqiri our defense is in trouble van dijk has illness

Monterrey boys don dey slow down

Henderson is getting bullied as Cb

If Lallana doesn't play a game for Liverpool again, he should not complain.

HT

Gomez had that card coming. Calm down, man

JK, make a substitution na. Wetin be dis?

Mane about to come in

Modified : Mane's in

TAA in for Milner

The third piece of the trident is complete. Bobby is on for Origi

EbukaHades10:
The third piece of the trident is complete. Bobby is on for Origi

thanks for the update .

Yes!!!!!!! Bobby does it

HIRAETH:
thanks for the update .

U are welcome

Bobby with the goal, Arnold with the assist

And it's full time.

Not the best performance but hey, we're in the final against Flamengo of Brazil.

2-1 the final score