Jurgen Klopp suggested the arrival of Takumi Minamino at Liverpool is imminent and admitted he would have liked him in the squad for the Club World Cup semi-final against Monterrey.
Minamino underwent a medical with the Reds on Wednesday ahead of a January move from Salzburg.
Klopp was forced to send Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino on as the Premier League leaders searched for a winner against the Concacaf Champions League holders, who were level at 1-1 in Doha heading into injury time.
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Firmino turned home a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 91st minute to seal a 2-1 victory and set up a meeting with Flamengo in the final, but the Liverpool boss conceded having Minamino on a bench that included two goalkeepers would have been a big boost.