We now know who Liverpool will face in their semi-final of the 2019 Club World Cup - North American champions Monterrey.

The Mexicans overcame host-team Al-Sadd on Saturday with a thrilling 3-2 win.

Monterrey had raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to a fantastic long-range opener for the first and a terrible backpass for the second.

Al-Sadd, coached by Barcelona legend Xavi, hit back just after the break, however.

A third Monerrey goal appeared to seal things on 77 minutes but Al-Sadd score again on 89 minutes to set up a nervous finale.

Monterrey held out, though, and will now face European champions Liverpool on Wednesday.

So who are Monterrey and what are the Reds coming up against next week?

Key info:

  • Founded: 1945
  • Nicknames: Rayados (The Striped-Ones), La Pandilla (The Gang), Los Albiazules (The White-and-Blues)
  • Ground: Estadio BBVA (53,500)
  • Manager: Antonio Mohamed
  • League: Liga MX

Monterrey are a Mexican side who are reigning CONCACAF Champions, having defeated Tigres, also from Monterrey, in the 2019 final.

That's right, Monterrey faced their arch-rivals in the final, defeating them 2-1 over two legs.

It's the fourth time they've won the CONCACAF Champions League, making them the fourth most successful team in competition history.

Strangely, they've won that competition as often as they've been champions of Mexico - something made even madder by the fact there are two champions each season.

They have a chance of winning this season, however, and they'll play the two legs of the Apertura final once they return from Qatar.

As for players Europeans might know, there are a couple who have played on the continent, the most famous being ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker Vincent Janssen.

Janssen joined from Spurs in July and has scored ten times in 20 games so far.

They're also home to a name Liverpool fans may remember - Funes Mori. This isn't ex-Everton defender Ramiro, however, but his twin brother Rogelio Funes Mori.

He's Monterrey's star striker, scoring 96 goals in 187 games for the club.

But how's their record in the Club World Cup? Not very good.

They've been there three times before (2011, 2012 and 2013) but went out at the first hurdle twice.

They did better in 2012, though, reaching the semi-final and, much like this year, faced English opposition in Chelsea.

The Blues were a far superior side, however, and beat the Mexicans 3-1.

But Liga MX is stronger than it was back then and they'll hope to give a far better account of themselves against Liverpool on Wednesday.