Liverpool won’t be competing in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, meaning the vast majority of players will spend the upcoming weeks relaxing instead of preparing for the global tournament.
After a grueling season, Mohamed Salah is taking advantage of the time rest and recharge, posting a picture of him relaxing on the beach.
The newly expanded Club World Cup will take place in two weeks' time, but while Chelsea and Manchester City will participate, Liverpool won’t have a spot. FIFA’s much-debated 32-team tournament will make its debut in the United States, featuring clubs competing for prize money totaling up to $131 million (£97 million).
The overall prize fund of just over $1 billion (£775 million) will be distributed among all 32 teams based on their participation and performance, with some clubs earning as much as $40 million (£29.6 million) simply for taking part.
Though the tournament promises significant financial rewards, it adds extra fixtures to an already demanding schedule for elite players. Despite the lucrative prizes, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is unlikely to be too upset about missing out on the competition.
The reason Liverpool is not participating in the competition is that FIFA only allows two clubs per country, and City and Chelsea had already secured their spots.
Both clubs earned automatic qualification by winning the Champions League during the predetermined four-year cycle starting from the 2020/21 season, effectively ruling Liverpool out despite UEFA ranking the Reds above Chelsea.
The expanded Club World Cup will now be held every four years, meaning that Liverpool’s next chance to compete in the competition won’t come until 2029.
While the financial rewards are significant, having a summer free from FIFA commitments could actually benefit Liverpool.
Liverpool lifting the Club World Cup in 2019
Liverpool will not feature at this year's Club World Cup (Image: Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
As clubs like City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and PSG put extra demands on their players, Slot’s squad will avoid additional mid-season fatigue.
Instead, the Reds will head to Deepdale to take on Championship side Preston for their first pre-season friendly on July 13 before heading to Asia on a pre-season tour with games planned in Japan and Hong Kong.
Liverpool.com says: Liverpool missing out on the expanded Club World Cup might actually be a blessing in disguise.
While the tournament offers huge financial rewards, the extra fixtures add significant strain on players already battling a packed schedule.
For a team aiming to retain the Premier League title next season as well as seeking Champions League success, avoiding the mid-summer travel and high-intensity games could mean fresher legs and fewer injuries ahead of the next campaign.