Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim defends 96kg title, qualifies for Tokyo 2020 Olympics – PG 14 MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2019 Firmino reflects on the Reds’ first world title; Van Dijk on new chapter in the Liverpool’s history boys add club’s storied history; Trent Alexander-Arnold a new chapter in Qatar talks of club’s unique achievement NGLISH champi- ons: 18 times. Euro- pean champions: six times. World cham- Epions: never... at least not until yesterday. Liverpool, one of football’s most historical and success- ful clubs, finally have no more worlds left to conquer. That this side have done what no other achieved in its glorious past says a lot about the names pulling on their icon- ic red shirts. A smorgasbord of both global and local talent have fused together into what can now be officially called the best team on the planet. “To be world champions is incredible,” the man who handed them that title, Rob- erto Firmino, told FIFA.com, as the echoing chants of victory leaked beneath the dressing room door. “It’s a unique feel- ing. Wearing the badge of world FIFA Club World Cup 2019 champions Liverpool celebrating victory at the Katara beach in Qatar on Sunday. champions for the next year will be amazing.” making sure we’re remem- the best this tournament, so Klopp’s side to maintain their After just shy of 100 min- bered as a really good Liver- we knew what we were com- balance in defence, with the utes of nerve-jangling intensity, pool team. It’s an exciting time ing in to,” Alexander-Arnold knock-on effects being felt right with Liverpool and Flamengo to be a Liverpool player.” admitted. up the pitch. But, after a shaky doing all they could to tease His defensive comrade “We won it late in both start, Flamengo held their open their respective opposi- Virgil van Dijk concurred games and it just shows the own with the outfit leading the tion, a lighting counter and when taking in the gravity of quality that we’ve been up charge at the top of the Premier a flash of brilliance from the the achievement. “It’s some- against. It was exciting for us to League. Reds’ No. 9 sliced open the thing that we’ve never had be part of this tournament and But it was the man who resolute defence of his South before with Liverpool,” the we’ll be really proud to go back played the role of super-sub in American countrymen. titanic Dutchman said. “We’ve with this trophy.” beating the Mexicans in stop- It’s a goal that will go down written history with this squad And what faced them was page time whose starting return in history as adding a new tro- and I’m very proud of that. It almost undoubtedly the best made the crucial difference. phy to their famous Cham- was very important for us to side in Brazil and South Amer- Having spurned an effort over pion’s Wall. “The Champions finish what we came here to ica. For every searching pass in the first minute, then rat- Wall is massive at Melwood, do. It was a tough two games aimed at Firmino, Sadio Mane tled the inside of post after the so we’re excited to go back and but we did it.” or Mohamed Salah which break, his neat turn and finish hopefully see it,” explained full- The clash with Flamengo, stretched Flamengo’s back got the job done in Doha. back Trent Alexander-Arnold, “a typical final” inF irmino’s line, a weaving run from Bruno “That’s why I’m here,” the who has grew up just a short words, was an intense encoun- Henrique would often come in all-too-often selfless forward walk from Anfield. ter from start to finish. Both return to test Liverpool’s. said with his dazzling smile. “I think this may be the sides were expertly drilled, The return of Van Dijk, His historic goal in Qatar will only trophy the club hasn’t ruthlessly organised and (L-R) Divock Origi, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, James Milner, Joseph Gomez, Georginio having missed the Monterrey also be why his name has pride won, so to be able to do it to- packed with individuals giving Wijnaldum, Adrian, Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino pose with the Club World Cup encounter through illness, and of place in the history books of day is huge for us, putting our- everything to get their hands trophy after they beat CR Flamengo in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 final 1-0 at Khalifa Interna- Alexander-Arnold to the start- one of football’s most celebrat- selves in the history books and on the trophy. “It’s the best of tional Stadium in Doha on Saturday. (DAVID RAMOS - FIFA/FIFA VIA GETTY IMAGES) ing line-up was vital for Jurgen ed clubs. (Fifa.com) Mohamed Salah headlines Qatar 2019 award winners FTER Liverpool won the AFIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 title, the FIFA Technical Study Group chose Mohamed Salah as the Player of the Tour- nament. Given his outstanding performance throughout the competition, the Liverpool star was a deserved winner of the adidas Golden Ball and Alibaba Cloud Player of the Tourna- ment award. FIFA.com now brings you all the award win- ners from Qatar 2019. adidas Golden Ball and Ali- baba Cloud Player of the Tournament winner: Mo- Mohamed Salah of Liverpool poses with the Club World Cup trophy . hamed Salah (Liverpool) Qatar Airways congratulates Liverpool FC Mohamed Salah’s perfor- tournament, Bruno Henrique side’s defence and attack. mances in Qatar were stellar proved how dangerous he is in As Al Hilal captain, he from beginning to end. In his the semi-final against Al Hilal, showed true leadership TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Cup Qatar 2019TM Champi- to 2022, when the FIFA World Qatar Airways currently side’s first game, he provided a when he provided the assist qualities on the field, where DOHA ons. I would also like to praise Cup Qatar 2022 will be hosted operates a modern fleet of fantastic assist to Naby Keita, for Giorgian De Arrascaeta for he was frequently on the the CF Flamengo team and in our home country.” more than 250 aircraft via its proving that he does not just the opening goal, scored the ball and orchestrating plays QATAR Airways has extended their passionate, travelling Qatar Airways holds an ex- hub, Hamad International score goals, but can help his second himself with a fantastic when he wasn’t breaking up its congratulations to Liver- supporters, for making the tensive global sports portfolio, Airport (HIA), to more than team-mates find the net too. header, then forced Ali Albu- opposition moves. pool FC, who were crowned final such a memorable oc- sponsoring top-level sporting 160 destinations worldwide. The Egyptian star’s blistering layhi to put through his own He also scored with World Club Champions fol- casion. Over the last ten days events and some of the big- The world’s fastest-growing pace was a constant threat to net for the third. He followed an exquisite header in the lowing their 1-0 victory over we have enjoyed world-class gest football clubs around the airline has added several excit- opponents and, while he did that standout performance match for third place against Flamengo at the FIFA Club football, packed stadiums and world including AS Roma, ing new destinations to its grow- not manage to score himself with another impressive dis- Monterrey. World Cup Qatar 2019 final in colourful, animated football Boca Juniors and FC Bayern ing network this year, including at Qatar 2019, he deservedly play against Liverpool, where Doha on Saturday. supporters. As the national Munich. As official FIFA part- Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Tur- picked up the adidas Golden his close control and dribbling FIFA Fair Play Award (Es- Qatar Airways cabin crew carrier of Qatar, we were de- ner, Qatar Airways sponsors key; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Ball for the brilliance of his skills saw him outsmart Trent perance Sportive de Tunis) were on hand with the medals lighted to bring thousands of the FIFA Club World Cup Qa- Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, play – something recognised Alexander-Arnold, one of the Esperance were the recipients and trophies for the prize pres- football fans from all over the tar 2019 and the FIFA World Somalia; Langkawi, Malaysia by thousands of fans at the best full-backs in the world, on the FIFA Fair Play Award. The entation ceremony. world to watch the world’s Cup Qatar 2022, reflecting and Gaborone, Botswana. The Khalifa International Stadium, multiple occasions. CAF Champions League win- Qatar Airways Group Chief best clubs. Qatar will be the the values of sport as a means airline will add Luanda, Angola; who cheered his every touch. ners played two games at Qa- Executive, Akbar al Baker, stage once again for the FIFA of bringing people together, Osaka, Japan; Dubrovnik, Croa- adidas Bronze Ball: Carlos tar 2019, losing the first 1-0 to said: “I would like to con- Club World CupM in 2020 something at the core of the tia and Santorini, Greece to its adidas Silver Ball: Bruno Eduardo (Al Hilal) Al Hilal before beating Al Sadd gratulate Liverpool FC on be- and we now also look forward airline’s brand message - Go- extensive route network along Henrique (Flamengo) At Qatar 2019, Eduardo pro- 6-2 in the second to claim fifth ing crowned FIFA Club World with tremendous anticipation ing Places Together.