Liverpool went one step closer to becoming the official world champions with a 2-1 win over the North American champions, but it was by no means an easy match.
Liverpool, who were left to field an under 23 side in last night's 5-0 League Cup defeat to Aston Villa, left Saido Mané and Robert Firmino on the bench while Van Dijk was sidelined due to illness. That meant that Jordan Henderson had to play at CB.
12 minutes into the match, Keita put the Reds ahead. Salah played it through to the advancing Keita who kept his composure and slotted it past Barovero. However, their lead didn't last long.
2 minutes later the Mexicans were level. Pabón and Funes Mori caused havoc throughout the match for Liverpool and those two combined for the goal. Pabón's original volley was parried by Alisson, unfortunately for the Brazilian falling at Funes Mori's feet. The latter took his time and knocked it past the former to stun the European champions. Shortly after, Milner had a good chance when Salah back-heeled it to him in the box, but he hit his shot straight at the Monterrey shot-stopper.
Monterrey then threatened through Pabón, but both sides went in at the break level. Just after the interval, Pabón took an excellent free-kick from about 30 yards, but Alisson matched it and parried it away. A few minutes later Keita had a shot from inside the box that he should have done better with.
Liverpool brought on Mané in the 68th minute as they looked for more firepower upfront, and he almost scored in the 74th minute when Origi's scuffed shot hit him and went agonisingly wide.
With 5 minutes until the end of the match, fan's favourite Firmino came on as the Reds looked for a winner. Just as it looked like it was going to extra time, Alexander-Arnold's cross was touched past Barovero by Firmino to send Liverpool to their 1st Club World Cup final in 14 years.