Liverpool are aiming to make history later this month as they bid to win the FIFA Club World Cup for the first-ever time.
The competition is unlikely to be high on Liverpool’s list of priorities this season, with the Premier League and Champions League undoubtedly taking precedence.
However, manager Jurgen Klopp has picked a strong squad for the tournament which gets underway on December 11.
The Reds join the competition the following Wednesday, with Mexican side Monterrey their most likely semi-final opponents.
Read on as we look at Liverpool’s previous record in the Club World Cup and assess their chances of success this time around.
Humiliation follows controversial boycott
The forerunner of the Club World Cup was the International Cup – a competition that isn’t looked on fondly by people of a Liverpool persuasion.
The club controversially refused to participate twice during the 1970s, largely deterred by the brutal tactics employed by the South American teams they were due to face.
A switch to a one-off final at a neutral venue softened Liverpool’s stance, and they agreed to take part in the competition after beating Real Madrid in the 1981 European Cup Final.
The Reds were expected to beat Flamengo, but a masterclass by the legendary Zico inspired the South American side to a fully-deserved 3-0 victory in Tokyo.
Fallout from Falklands War hangs over second bid
The bitter Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina was still fresh in the memory when Liverpool made their second bid to win the International Cup in 1984.
The opening stages of the clash between the Reds and Independiente were certainly feisty, but the game soon settled down.
The Argentinian side took an early lead and then proceeded to completely stifle Liverpool’s attack for the rest of the match.
The Reds enjoyed plenty of possession during the second half, but they were unable to find an equaliser to miss out on the trophy once again.
Liverpool fall short again
The Reds’ third bid to be crowned the world’s best club came in 2005, as they travelled to Japan to take part in a revamped Club World Championship.
They breezed past Costa Rican Side Deportivo Saprissa 3-0 in the last four to secure a place in the final against Sao Paolo.
Liverpool created numerous chances in the first-half, but fell behind to Mineiro’s excellent 27th minute goal.
The Premier League club dominated the second-half, but had three goals disallowed to dash their hopes of levelling the game.
Long wait set to end?
There have been plenty of fans visiting the Liverpool FC page in order to secure tickets for the latest edition of the Club World Cup.
The Reds are odds-on favourites to end their drought in this competition and have picked a strong squad for the trip to Qatar.
A probable clash with Monterrey in the semi-finals shouldn’t hold too many fears, but Jurgen Klopp’s side may not have things their own way thereafter.
Likely final opponents Flamengo have been sweeping all before them in South America and will fancy their chances of extending Liverpool’s long wait to win the tournament.
