Liverpool are set to enter the Club World Cup but who are their semi-final opponents Monterrey?
Los Rayados beat Al-Sadd 3-2 on Saturday to make it into the last four of the global tournament in Qatar and will now face the Champions League winners on Wednesday.
Al Hilal or Flamengo will be waiting for them in the final at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha – but who are Liverpool’s upcoming opponents?
Who are Monterrey?
The Mexican side, full name Club de Futbol Monterrey, were founded in 1945 – 53 years after Liverpool were established.
They are currently owned by FEMSA, the largest bottling company in Latin America with Coca-Cola among their clients.
They moved to their impressive 53,500-seater stadium Estadio BBVA, nicknamed The Steel Giant, in 2015. The ground is famous for being overlooked by the Cerro de la Silla mountain.
Among their nicknames are Los Rayados, which means The Striped-Ones because of their kit, and La Pandilla, translating to The Gang.
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Where are Monterrey from?
CF Monterrey are from the north of Mexico, in a city by the same name, which is just over a 100 miles from the US border with Texas.
It is the capital of the Nuevo Leon state and also hosts Los Rayados’ arch-rivals Tigres UANL.
Among the famous faces to hail from the city include the dos Santos brothers, Giovani and Jonathan – they have Tottenham, Barcelona and Villarreal among their former clubs.
Ex-F1 driver Esteban Guiterrez is also from Monterrey along with Major League Baseball star Jorge de la Rosa.
What titles have Monterrey won?
Monterrey earned their place in this year’s Club World Cup after winning the CONCACAF Champions League.
That was their fourth success in the continental competition – all coming since 2011.
This will not be the first time they have faced an English side in the Club World Cup having lost 3-1 to Chelsea in 2012.
Monterrey have also won Liga MX, Mexico’s top flight, on four occasions.
What players do Monterrey have?
Tottenham flop Vincent Janssen is now on Monterrey’s books after Dutch striker called an end to his Premier League horror show over the summer.
Rogelio Funes Mori, the twin brother of former Everton defender Ramiro, could start as a striker against Liverpool.
Miguel Layun will also be hoping to feature, having previously played for Watford, Porto, Sevilla and Villarreal.
