Why Liverpool are unable to take part in Club World Cup despite initially qualifying

Why Liverpool are unable to take part in Club World Cup despite initially qualifying

Liverpool might not be playing in the FIFA Club World Cup but a number of former Reds will be competing in the United States

FIFA president Gianni Infantino shows the key to the trophy after unveiling the highly designed trophy as FIFA held its media preview for the Club World Cup at the FIFA Miami headquarters in Coral Gables, Florida (Image: Carl Juste/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images )

The inaugural revamped FIFA Club World Cup gets underway this weekend when selected host side Inter Miami take on 2020/21 CAF Champions League champions Al Ahly. But, for better or worse, there will be no Liverpool in this summer’s tournament in the United States.

The Reds actually initially qualified - courtesy of winning the 2018/19 Champions League - when the maiden edition of the competition was originally scheduled to be hosted by China in 2021. However, the tournament was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Liverpool then missing out when it was belatedly pencilled in to take place four years later.

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UEFA have 12 sides competing in the 32-team tournament, made up of the three European champions in the three seasons prior to the Club World Cup and the highest-ranked sides in the club coefficients.

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However, UEFA limits nations to only have two entries per associations, with exceptions only made if more than two clubs from the same association win their confederation's top club competition.

Consequently, with Chelsea and Man City winning the Champions League in 2020/21 and 2022/23 respectively, Liverpool were left unable to qualify for the Club World Cup. As a result, they are the highest-ranked side in the UEFA coefficients not to be taking part.

Of course, missing out is no bad thing. While a number of the Reds’ domestic and European rivals now find themselves playing through the summer break, Arne Slot’s men are afforded a full summer break.

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England manager Thomas Tuchel believes this should give Liverpool an advantage in this season’s Premier League title-race, while there will also be a knock-on effect in next season’s Champions League.

But while the Reds are not competing in the United States, a number of familiar Anfield faces are. So if you’re desperate for your football fix during the summer months, here are the former Liverpool stars to look out for at the FIFA Club World Cup…

Players

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the most obvious former Reds star taking part in the tournament, after joining Real Madrid from Liverpool last month.

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The England international was released from the final month of his contract in order to take part in the Club World Cup, with the Reds banking £10m in the process. The 26-year-old is now in line to make his Real Madrid debut in their opening game against Al-Hilal.

Luis Suarez is set to lead the line for Inter Miami, after following the legendary Lionel Messi to the MLS club. The former Liverpool striker joined Miami in the summer of 2023 and has 33 goals from 58 appearances for the club to date.

Former Reds youngster Ryan Kent - who only played once for Liverpool - is set to represent Seattle Sounders at the Club World Cup after joining the club on a free transfer in March, having seen his Fenerbahce contract cancelled the previous October.

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The 28-year-old has made 10 appearances for the MLS side to date, registering three assists.

Allan spent five years with Liverpool without ever making an appearance as he failed to gain a work permit, with the Brazilian midfielder instead enjoying a succession of loan deals instead.

Returning to Brazil permanently with Atletico Mineiro in 2020, the 28-year-old is now on the books of Flamengo and set to represent the Brazilian outfit in this summer’s tournament.

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Marcelo Pitaluga is also on the books of a Brazilian side taking part in the Club World Cup, having returned to Fluminense in January after five years with Liverpool.

He is yet to make a competitive appearance since returning to the club, but the 22-year-old is one of four goalkeepers who has been included in their travelling squad to the United States.

Managers

Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso will take charge of Real Madrid for the first time at the FIFA Club World Cup after taking over from Carlo Ancelotti following a successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen.

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Meanwhile, he could lock horns with his former Reds midfield partner Javier Mascherano who is now in charge of Inter Miami. The Argentine took over at the MLS club last November, having previously served as Argentina U20s and U23s manager.

However, Real Madrid and Inter Miami are unable to face each other until at least the semi-finals.

And who missed out?

Emre Can misses the tournament for Borussia Dortmund because of injury, with the BVB captain still troubled by adductor issues.

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Marko Grujic is also an enforced absentee for FC Porto, having sat out the majority of the season with a heel injury.

Bobby Clark has been left out of the Red Bull Salzburg squad after falling out of favour since Pep Lijnders was sacked.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling remains surplus to requirements at Chelsea and was not included in their squad following his return from a season-long loan at Arsenal.

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Likewise, Man City did not select Scott Carson after announcing the veteran goalkeeper would be leaving the club at the end of his contract.

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