Firmino sends Liverpool into Club World Cup final

Roberto Firmino scored a dramatic injury -time winner – five minutes after coming on as a substitute – to give Liverpool victory over Mexican side Monterrey and book their place in the Club World Cup final.

The Brazilian striker, who replaced Divock Origi in the 85 th minute , poked in fellow substitute Trent Alexander -Arnold ’ s cross from close range in Doha.

Liverpool ’s Naby Keita had opened the scoring in the first half after an excellent Mohamed Salah through ball before Rogelio Funes Mori equalised .

The Reds will take on Brazil ’s Flamengo in Saturday’ s final.

Manager Jurgen Klopp , who flew to Qatar with the first -team squad while under- 23 s boss Neil Critchley took charge of the Liverpool ’s Carabao Cup quarter -final defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday evening , named a makeshift starting XI due to injuries and illness in defence.

As a result , Liverpool looked vulnerable at the back and, despite taking the lead early on, could have fallen behind after chances fell to Monterrey ’ s Dorlan Pabon , Funes Mori and Jesus Gallardo either side of the break .

Keita also had more chances to score and was denied twice in the second half by keeper Marcelo Barovero.

Funes Mori – the twin brother of former Everton defender Ramiro – shocked Liverpool fans when he pounced on a rebound to equalise three minutes later but the Premier League leaders were persistent , as they have been so often this season .

Salah kept the ball in play before teeing up Alexander -Arnold , who slid a cross behind the defence for Firmino to poke home, meaning Liverpool avoided extra time and a potential upset in Doha.