Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker gathers the ball during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final football match between Mexico's Monterrey and England's Liverpool at the Khalifa International Stadium in the Qatari capital Doha on December 1
Liverpool will try to give their ‘best’ in the final of the FIFA World Cup against Flamengo while training their guns on a maiden title at the Khalifa International Stadium here today, said The Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
The Reds will face the South American champions in the final as they aim to win the tournament for the first time in club history.
The Reds have played in three previous finals, in different variations of the tournament format, in 1981 – coincidentally against today’s opponents Flamengo – 1985 and 2005 but lost on all the three ocassions.
It remains the only trophy to elude the six-time European champions and Alisson, who as a Brazilian is well aware of how important the competition and is chasing a child hood dream.
“When I was young, at 14, my former club Internacional became Club World Cup champions in 2006 and I watched it as a supporter,” said the Brazil international.
“I was so excited at that time. Then I started to dream of this. Now I am here, with this big opportunity to win it for the first time with Liverpool against a big club.
Becker said like their Brazilian counterparts, his team-mates are equally determined to make themselves world champions.
“It’s a very important match for me and my team, to play against such a famous team, and big team, like Flamengo,” said the Liverpool goalkeeper.
“We played against Monterrey; football is the same, however, clubs differ in terms of style. The Mexican team played a very tough match and we didn’t play the best match.
“But tomorrow I’m sure we’ll spare no efforts to win against Flamengo. Flamengo are a very famous team and has players who have participated in many international competitions, so they are used to playing in big competitions and reaching the final.
“I hope tomorrow’s match will be a very interesting and enjoyable one. And for us to win the title. However, the most important thing is for the fans to see the excitement and enjoy themselves watching the match.”
He added: “It’s big for Brazilians. But I think it’s bigger for whoever is playing this. Those outside don’t give value for this competition because it’s limited just for the winners.
“Flamengo won the Libertadores, we won the Champions League, Monterrey won the CONCACAF, and many other clubs won big competitions. And we are here.
“We are making this big for us because this is important. Also, to put our name in the history of the club with the first time ever Liverpool can win it. We will try our best.
“You can feel from Flamengo’s side that the supporters are here already, supporting their team. In the last game I think there were more than 10,000 supporters.
“But this is not just big for them, it’s big for us also. We want to win it and we’ll try to do our best on the pitch.”
