The revamped FIFA Club World Cup kicks off this weekend, with host team Inter Miami facing 2020/21 CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly. It will also feature a number of former Liverpool players.
However, Liverpool will be notably absent from this summer's tournament in the United States. Initially, the Reds qualified for the competition - thanks to their 2018/19 Champions League victory - when the first edition of the tournament was set to take place in China in 2021.
But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was postponed, and Liverpool missed out when it was rescheduled to occur four years later. UEFA has 12 teams participating in the 32-team tournament, comprising the three European champions from the three seasons preceding the Club World Cup and the highest-ranked sides based on club coefficients.
However, UEFA restricts nations to only two entries per association, with exceptions made only if more than two clubs from the same association win their confederation's top club competition.
As a result, with Chelsea and Man City clinching the Champions League titles in 2020/21 and 2022/23 respectively, Liverpool were unable to qualify for the Club World Cup. Consequently, they are the highest-ranked side in the UEFA coefficients not participating.
On the bright side, missing out isn't necessarily a negative. While many of Liverpool's domestic and European rivals will be playing through the summer break, Arne Slot's squad can enjoy a full summer off.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez is one former Liverpool player in action at the Club World Cup
England manager Thomas Tuchel suggests that this could provide Liverpool with an edge in the Premier League title race this season, and it may also have implications for next season's Champions League.
While the Reds aren't taking part in the United States, several familiar faces from Anfield are. So, if you're itching for some football action during the summer, here are the ex-Liverpool stars to keep an eye on at the FIFA Club World Cup....
Players
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the most notable former Red participating in the tournament, having transferred to Real Madrid from Liverpool last month.
Luis Suarez is expected to spearhead Inter Miami's attack, having followed the iconic Lionel Messi to the MLS club. The ex-Liverpool forward joined Miami in the summer of 2023 and has scored 33 goals in 58 appearances for the club so far.
Former Reds youngster Ryan Kent - who only made one appearance for Liverpool - is set to represent Seattle Sounders at the Club World Cup. He joined the club on a free transfer in March after his Fenerbahce contract was terminated the previous October.
The 28-year-old has made 10 appearances for the MLS side so far, providing three assists.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold will make his Real Madrid debut
Allan spent five years at Liverpool without making a single appearance due to work permit issues, with the Brazilian midfielder instead embarking on a series of loan spells.
In 2020, he returned to Brazil permanently with Atletico Mineiro and is now registered with Flamengo, set to represent the Brazilian side in this summer's tournament.
Marcelo Pitaluga, another former Red, is also registered with a Brazilian team participating in the Club World Cup, having rejoined Fluminense in January after a five-year stint at Liverpool.
Although he hasn't made a competitive appearance since his return, the 22-year-old is one of four goalkeepers included in their travelling squad to the United States.
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso will take charge of Real Madrid
Managers
Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso will helm Real Madrid for the first time at the FIFA Club World Cup, taking over from Carlo Ancelotti after a successful tenure at Bayer Leverkusen.
He could potentially face off against his former Reds midfield partner Javier Mascherano, who is now at the helm of Inter Miami. The Argentine took charge of the MLS club last November, having previously managed Argentina's U20s and U23s teams.
However, Real Madrid and Inter Miami can't meet until at least the semi-finals.