Club World Cup 2019

So yesterday the club world cup for the next two years was confirmed - being held in a couple of stadiums in Qatar as warm up for World Cup events.

Liverpool and whoever the South American Champions are will only enter at the semi final stage so two matches maximum.

Playoff for QF spot

Hienghène Sport (OFC Champions) v Al-Sadd (AFC - Hosts)

Enter at QF

Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions)
Espérance de Tunis (CAF Champions)
TBD (AFC Champions)

Enter at SF

Liverpool (UEFA Champions)
TBD (CONMENBOL Champions)

But with this happening in December - when I think the final group game of the CL is, not to mention a busy Premier League period ahead - what's everyone's thoughts on how we should approach it?

So yesterday the club world cup for the next two years was confirmed - being held in a couple of stadiums in Qatar as warm up for World Cup events.

Liverpool and whoever the South American Champions are will only enter at the semi final stage so two matches maximum.

Playoff for QF spot

Hienghène Sport (OFC Champions) v Al-Sadd (AFC - Hosts)

Enter at QF

Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions)
Espérance de Tunis (CAF Champions)
TBD (AFC Champions)

Enter at SF

Liverpool (UEFA Champions)
TBD (CONMENBOL Champions)

But with this happening in December - when I think the final group game of the CL is, not to mention a busy Premier League period ahead - what's everyone's thoughts on how we should approach it?

In it to win it. A trophy we haven't won yet so go for it.

As for esperance

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48483152

Would be nice to win but really not arsed if we are going for the title. City give up so few opportunities and the margins are so fine I worry about how this impacts us in the league with the travel and additional games. Especially combined with expecting us to go deep into the latter stages of the CL, it’s a lot of games.

The semi final we should breeze through and I’d be rotating heavily there. For the final, I’d also rotate and get some of the major players on if things aren’t going our way.

Would be nice to win though, especially after 05 where we had about 3 goals disallowed!

Would be nice to win it but not at any cost to League form and CL.

A tricky one to balance to be honest and we'll need a big squad next season to cope with the sheer number of games.

Would be nice to win though, especially after 05 where we had about 3 goals disallowed!

This. I can’t remember the exact details of the goals but am I right in saying that only 1 of them was correctly ruled out? Either way, it feels like we have unfinished business. That game put an end to our impressive run of 11 clean sheets and the trophy really should have been ours.

We’ve not won this before, you can only get to it by winning the Champions League and it’s a great chance to potentially end the year with 4 pieces of silverware. I think we are more than capable of handling these extra couple of games. Does the winter break come into play next season? Makes it even easier to handle this competition if it does.

We should rotate to keep players fresh. A mixture of players and we will be fine. A cup that we never won, so yes we go for it!

So yesterday the club world cup for the next two years was confirmed - being held in a couple of stadiums in Qatar as warm up for World Cup events.

Liverpool and whoever the South American Champions are will only enter at the semi final stage so two matches maximum.

Playoff for QF spot

Hienghène Sport (OFC Champions) v Al-Sadd (AFC - Hosts)

Enter at QF

Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions)
Espérance de Tunis (CAF Champions)
TBD (AFC Champions)

Enter at SF

Liverpool (UEFA Champions)
TBD (CONMENBOL Champions)

But with this happening in December - when I think the final group game of the CL is, not to mention a busy Premier League period ahead - what's everyone's thoughts on how we should approach it?

We should go for it but rotate the team as much as possible, depending on the opposition, it will be yet another trophy which Citeh with all their money don't have, but they'll probably just equate it to the FA Cup ;-)

So yesterday the club world cup for the next two years was confirmed - being held in a couple of stadiums in Qatar as warm up for World Cup events.

Liverpool and whoever the South American Champions are will only enter at the semi final stage so two matches maximum.

Playoff for QF spot

Hienghène Sport (OFC Champions) v Al-Sadd (AFC - Hosts)

Enter at QF

Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions)
Espérance de Tunis (CAF Champions)
TBD (AFC Champions)

Enter at SF

Liverpool (UEFA Champions)
TBD (CONMENBOL Champions)

But with this happening in December - when I think the final group game of the CL is, not to mention a busy Premier League period ahead - what's everyone's thoughts on how we should approach it?

Be nice to win this one.

Would be nice to win though, especially after 05 where we had about 3 goals disallowed!

What a farce of a match that was vs Sao Paulo, besides poor calls the keeper played out of his skin and hit the post a few times. I only remember that match because getting up at ungodly hour to watch it. .

As far as this season yes it makes a already compact December schedule more packed but this is the cost of winning the UCL so we have to figure out way to work through it and hopefully win it so we can have another badge on our kit (I think they still do that)

We will obv. go for it, and the players will be keen, but we will defo. be using the squad, anyone with slight knocks wont be risked.

Busy season ahead, Im hopeful we have better runs in the domestic cups, and the fringe guys get more games, this would be an extension of that Id imagine.

We are competing in seven competitions next season technically when you add this, the Charity Shield and the Super Cup to the list.

A problem I am happy to have as a Liverpool fan but you have to wonder what it will do to our Premier League aspirations?

December can be heavy enough and having to travel to Qatar won’t help! Again it will be for me kids in the Carabao and FA Cup.

I suppose this will mean one or two league fixtures rearranged to midweek matches. As for the event itself, could be like a training camp in Qatar with a couple if matches thrown in for good measure.

So yesterday the club world cup for the next two years was confirmed - being held in a couple of stadiums in Qatar as warm up for World Cup events.

Liverpool and whoever the South American Champions are will only enter at the semi final stage so two matches maximum.

Playoff for QF spot

Hienghène Sport (OFC Champions) v Al-Sadd (AFC - Hosts)

Enter at QF

Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions)
Espérance de Tunis (CAF Champions)
TBD (AFC Champions)

Enter at SF

Liverpool (UEFA Champions)
TBD (CONMENBOL Champions)

But with this happening in December - when I think the final group game of the CL is, not to mention a busy Premier League period ahead - what's everyone's thoughts on how we should approach it?

Just read in The Echo that the club itself were actually surprised by this news.

 FIFA.......

Not too sure if this competition is a good idea tbh, with fixtures in the Premiership and Champions league making it a very busy time for the club and players. Seemingly very much up for debate by our forum members.

This is why we need a little bit bigger squad. Prioritizing the league & CL is obvious, but I would love to see us give the Domestic cups a little more attention. (Along with something like this)

Getting a few extra guys in will give us a better chance at winning some of these cups. Going deeper into some these cups gives us more games to give more players game time. Giving players more game time is a huge attraction and insensitive for outside players to take a squad player role with us.

Teams like City can get dudes like Mahrez and Jesus to sign in lesser roles b/c they know they will always get game time of some sort. Our 11 is awesome, but we rely on kids for domestic cup games. Dudes like Werner and Fekir may be into coming if they know we were committing to winning everything we can. We cant commit to going for everything until we get a bigger squad. The two go hand in hand. Hope this makes sense

This is why we need a little bit bigger squad. Prioritizing the league & CL is obvious, but I would love to see us give the Domestic cups a little more attention. (Along with something like this)

Getting a few extra guys in will give us a better chance at winning some of these cups. Going deeper into some these cups gives us more games to give more players game time. Giving players more game time is a huge attraction and insensitive for outside players to take a squad player role with us.

Teams like City can get dudes like Mahrez and Jesus to sign in lesser roles b/c they know they will always get game time of some sort. Our 11 is awesome, but we rely on kids for domestic cup games. Dudes like Werner and Fekir may be into coming if they know we were committing to winning everything we can. We cant commit to going for everything until we get a bigger squad. The two go hand in hand. Hope this makes sense

I think a top player who isn't interested in coming after our Premier League and Champions League seasons, isn't going to be more persuaded because we are showing more commitment to the League Cup or this FIFA event.

Not too sure if this competition is a good idea tbh, with fixtures in the Premiership and Champions league making it a very busy time for the club and players. Seemingly very much up for debate by our forum members.

I think it has been "iffy" for European clubs from the beginning. I remember United didn't play in the FA Cup the one year because of this event (different format).

Liverpool should aim for every trophy. Get the team used to winning things regularly, whether its the League Cup or Club World Cup.

On a somewhat related note as to who qualified for this cup, at least for those unaware of the situation in Africa right now, in my opinion CAF are a farcical organization, and their hand holding of Esperance in that final with Wydad was disgraceful. I watched that entire match, and went through 1 hour 20 minutes of officials lying about whether or not they even informed both teams that VAR was being used in the match over an obvious goal for Wydad. The players called for VAR after the ref waved off the goal (the VAR monitor was literally right there), and the ref and other officials kept changing their story as to whether or not VAR was being used in the game or not.

The president even had to be informed as to what was even going on in the pitch and what the rules even were. If this happened with Liverpool vs Spurs in the Champions League, everyone and their mom would be calling for FIFA to do something about this blatant corruption. Also, the Esperance fans throwing rocks, and bottles at some of the Wydad players was uncalled for. I just couldn't believe what I was watching. Sorry for the rant, but the second I saw who was in this tournament, I got a bit peeved, to say the least.

Truth is the Title and the Champions League are the real targets. The 2 domestic cup will still be important but priority will be the top 2.

This Club World Cup will worth winning and the revenue will be important. Given the commitments next season the club should be looking at strengthening. Some will leave obviously and given transfer inflation, money coming in will need to be of a very reasonable sum, to help fund acquisitions.

I think a top player who isn't interested in coming after our Premier League and Champions League seasons, isn't going to be more persuaded because we are showing more commitment to the League Cup or this FIFA event.

I definitely get your point, but young players like Harry Wilson want to leave b/c of lack of playing time. The deeper we go into lower cup competitions the more games we can promise players of Wilson's caliber. We still dont have a squad to contend for everything like City. If we continue to improve our squad we will continue to improve and be even more attractive to outsiders.

Going deep in everything is important for growth, development, morale, etc.

It's a yes from me, to get this bad boy on our shirts would for me, be great. Missed out so many times before, (5).



It will bring extra money in, and I guess bring the ARE extension a little closer... may be.

It's a yes from me, to get this bad boy on our shirts would for me, be great. Missed out so many times before, (5).



It will bring extra money in, and I guess bring the ARE extension a little closer... may be.

As a kit collector I'm with you. .

It’s only two games - the squad will play in the FA Cup game.

Want to see the club take it seriously and win it - it’s a trophy we have never won before

Liverpool should aim for every trophy. Get the team used to winning things regularly, whether its the League Cup or Club World Cup.

On a somewhat related note as to who qualified for this cup, at least for those unaware of the situation in Africa right now, in my opinion CAF are a farcical organization, and their hand holding of Esperance in that final with Wydad was disgraceful. I watched that entire match, and went through 1 hour 20 minutes of officials lying about whether or not they even informed both teams that VAR was being used in the match over an obvious goal for Wydad. The players called for VAR after the ref waved off the goal (the VAR monitor was literally right there), and the ref and other officials kept changing their story as to whether or not VAR was being used in the game or not.

The president even had to be informed as to what was even going on in the pitch and what the rules even were. If this happened with Liverpool vs Spurs in the Champions League, everyone and their mom would be calling for FIFA to do something about this blatant corruption. Also, the Esperance fans throwing rocks, and bottles at some of the Wydad players was uncalled for. I just couldn't believe what I was watching. Sorry for the rant, but the second I saw who was in this tournament, I got a bit peeved, to say the least.

I can see why that would be maddening for fans of one of the clubs. I found it funny the notions of going to FIFA to do something about the corruption in CAF.

"Hello, Al Capone? I want to alert you to some unethical practices of some of your employees. You may want to do something about that." 🙂

The impact on the league is minimal. One league game to be rescheduled, the last game before Christmas, which means we'll be the team with a game in hand for some time after. We can always bring the rescheduled game forward if necessary.

The gain is another trophy, another title, and another badge to put on the shirt for the following 12 months.

We will put our strongest team out there, as we should. It's not the third round of the cup at home v Grimsby, it's against the best the rest of the world can offer, whatever quality that best is. The European team usually wins this, so take it seriously and it's a banker to put another major trophy in the cabinet. For the first time in our case.

Prioritizing the league & CL is obvious, but I would love to see us give the Domestic cups a little more attention.

In defence of last season I think we didn't have the easiest of ties in either competition.

If we had City's opponents then I'm sure we would have done a lot better.

In defence of last season I think we didn't have the easiest of ties in either competition.

If we had City's opponents then I'm sure we would have done a lot better.

For sure. Chelsea and Wolves were tough draws.

Seriously, you would require a crystal ball for this call. If it falls over a congested period of games and / or it conflicts with any other trophy runs. Then I for one would either spew it, or send the bench / reserves.
Coming up to the Christmas congestion as well, FM it could be a decision we live to regret?

Seriously, you would require a crystal ball for this call. If it falls over a congested period of games and / or it conflicts with any other trophy runs. Then I for one would either spew it, or send the bench / reserves.
Coming up to the Christmas congestion as well, FM it could be a decision we live to regret?

Totally wrong attitude, this is a big trophy, you only get to be in it by winning the CL so we should really focus on winning it, even at the expense of the league cup or FA cup.
Anyway By December we'll be 6-7 points ahead of Citeh and comfortably through to the knockout stages of CL and final rounds of the League cup :-)

Should be clearly last in our targets next year and a definite run out for fringe players which will also give players a rest who need one

For sure. Chelsea and Wolves were tough draws.

Yup, we had rubbish draws in both cups. whereas City cruised through with easy draws. Be nice for us to get some easy draws this season.

Totally wrong attitude, this is a big trophy, you only get to be in it by winning the CL so we should really focus on winning it, even at the expense of the league cup or FA cup.
Anyway By December we'll be 6-7 points ahead of Citeh and comfortably through to the knockout stages of CL and final rounds of the League cup :-)

We will go to win it obviously, but what players are used will be decided on fitness and how many games we have in December. It could be a crazy month if were still in the league cup.

We will go to win it obviously, but what players are used will be decided on fitness and how many games we have in December. It could be a crazy month if were still in the league cup.

I'm all for rotating players, especially in the semi final where we will probably facing the equivalent of a league 1 opponent, but for the final we should play a strong team and really try to win this.

Got to go for it, but it is in the way. Hopefully we will have an easier than normal champions league group and we will have qualified by the time this comes round.

Seriously, you would require a crystal ball for this call. If it falls over a congested period of games and / or it conflicts with any other trophy runs. Then I for one would either spew it, or send the bench / reserves.
Coming up to the Christmas congestion as well, FM it could be a decision we live to regret?

Real Madrid's two games was the week before Christmas last year.  The last CL group game was the 11th December so I'd imagine that would be the schedule once again.

It would definitely impact at least one and likely two Premier League games.  I think Liverpool will look at who the opposition is around the 16th December and then decide whether they will miss one or two PL games. 

It could be a crazy month if were still in the league cup.

Yep if we got to the quarter final in that then that would need re-arranging.

I propose the club create a new club...say..er..call them Liverpool City...yeah..and enter them into the FA cup and League Cup and play in..er..Division one..yeah...an..er..well that's it really..

Overseas trip to watch our Boys play, you say!! 

I've got the bug!

As expected will be played before Christmas.

Tournament dates are the 11th December to the 21st December but LFC's games will be

Semi-Final 18th December and
Final or 3rd place play off 21st December

We were due to play West Ham away on the 21st December so that will have to be shifted.

We are due to play Watford (H) on the 14th December and then Leicester (A) on Boxing Day.  Can't see these being affected.

Only other game that could be affected would be a possible League Cup Quarter Final.

West Ham game moved to March I think I read.

As expected will be played before Christmas.

Tournament dates are the 11th December to the 21st December but LFC's games will be

Semi-Final 18th December and
Final or 3rd place play off 21st December

We were due to play West Ham away on the 21st December so that will have to be shifted.

We are due to play Watford (H) on the 14th December and then Leicester (A) on Boxing Day.  Can't see these being affected.

Only other game that could be affected would be a possible League Cup Quarter Final.

The semifinal for this we should be able to field a lineup similar to some.of these preseason games and still advance, then use the first XI for the final vs the South Americans. Should not use our main players twice at this event.

The semifinal for this we should be able to field a lineup similar to some.of these preseason games and still advance, then use the first XI for the final vs the South Americans. Should not use our main players twice at this event.

yeah I agree, it shouldn't really be to disruptive to our season and should be another piece of silverware.

The semifinal for this we should be able to field a lineup similar to some of these preseason games and still advance

Which line up exactly?

The one v Seville, that we lost.
The one v Dortmund, that we lost.
The one v Lisbon, that we didn't win.

We have to take this seriously and play our strongest team. If we do, we'll win the tournament. It's 2 games in perfect weather conditions. Alternatively, if we would rather sacrifice being World Champions just to play West Ham, we have to not win the European Cup. And who wants to do that?

10 games in 29 days in December then.

Could really do with starting the Champions League group well so that we're qualified by the time that last game comes around. Would be a handy break for a few of our key players.

Could really do with starting the Champions League group well so that we're qualified by the time that last game comes around.

Does that sound remotely like something we would do!

Got to go for it, but it is in the way. Hopefully we will have an easier than normal champions league group and we will have qualified by the time this comes round.

By the time it comes around, the group will be finished. I can see the Watford game brought forward to the earliest possible ko that weekend.

The tournament is unofficially designed for the European and South American champions to play out the final, as they always did before it expanded. Doesn't always quite go to plan, but only teams from those continents have ever won it, and it's 7 years since the Europeans didn't.

Aside from all that, there is another space on the Wall Of Champions ready to be filled, just in time to show it off to the opposition for the big home league game in January.