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BSP-02
FBL-WCLUB-BRA-ENG-FLAMENGO-LIVERPOOL
Wily Jorge Jesus stands in Klopp’s way as Flamengo aim to stop Liverpool
DOHA, Dec 20, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Jurgen Klopp’s impact on Liverpool during
four years in charge has been transformative, but the man in the opposing
dugout in Saturday’s Club World Cup final has needed just a few short months
to make history at Flamengo.
Jorge Jesus was only appointed by the Rio de Janeiro giants in June, the
arrival of the white-haired 65-year-old Portuguese coach raising eyebrows in
Brazil.
He immediately made his mark and in the last month has seen the country’s
best-supported side win the Copa Libertadores for just the second time and
then claim a first Brazilian title in a decade, finishing 16 points clear.
Jesus has overseen just two defeats in 29 league games and his team are now
one win away from lifting the Club World Cup after defeating Al-Hilal 3-1 on
Tuesday.
Only the small matter of Klopp’s Liverpool stands between them and a first
victory for South America in this competition since Corinthians beat Chelsea
in 2012.
“This is the most important game of my career. It is the cherry on the cake
of Flamengo’s season, the biggest final I have been involved in,” said Jesus.
Those comments in some ways speak to the importance of this occasion in
South America, with the Club World Cup their one chance to compete with
Europe’s giants.
Interest in this competition is always muted in Europe, especially as it
comes in the middle of the club season. Meanwhile, the number of Flamengo
fans visible around Doha, decked out in red and black, confirms what this
event means to them.
“This is the game of our lives and we will be at our very best,” said the
former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea full-back Filipe Luis to Globoesporte.
Jesus has taken them there, to their 74th and final game in 2019, having
become a rare foreign coach to work in Brazil, never mind succeed.
– Down to the bare bones –
Jesus was already a comparative veteran when his managerial career really
took off upon joining Benfica in 2009.
He stayed six years, becoming their longest-serving coach while winning
three Portuguese titles and reaching two Europa League finals. His move to
Flamengo came after three more years at Sporting Lisbon and a brief stint at
Al Hilal.
Regular observers of Brazilian football have noticed the success he has
enjoyed with a more typically intense, European approach, and that will give
them reason to believe an upset could happen against Klopp’s team.
“Of course with Jorge Jesus there is European influence but the players
themselves are already quality,” Klopp insisted.
“If there was not a European coach it would already be difficult. Jorge
Jesus is very, very experienced and was very successful in Portugal and now
in Brazil as well, so we have a lot of respect for that.”
Liverpool are hoping victory can give them renewed energy in their draining
Premier League title push.
It has been quite a week for the Anfield club since they beat Watford 2-0
last Saturday and moved 10 points clear at the top of the table.
On Sunday they flew to Qatar before Monday’s Champions League last-16 draw
paired them with Atletico Madrid.
After a team of academy players lost 5-0 at Aston Villa in the League Cup
on Tuesday, Klopp’s senior side edged out Monterrey in the semi-final in Doha
on Wednesday. Thursday brought confirmation of the signing of Japanese star
Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg.
Now they are hoping to crown a fabulous year by winning this trophy for the
first time, but the pressing issue for Klopp will be to see if Virgil van
Dijk can return after illness.
With Fabinho, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip already absent and Georginio
Wijnaldum missing Wednesday’s game too, the European champions have been down
almost to the bare bones.
The increasingly prominent Naby Keita could have a key role to play again,
though, after scoring in the semi-final.
“He has scored a lot of goals for us already, important goals as well. It’s
absolutely brilliant how well he did that (against Monterrey) and there is so
much more to come,” said Klopp.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0853 hrs