Liverpool duo in the Brazil World Cup squad, as the Tite’s men eyeing to end 20-year wait
Photo Source: pavilion.com thisisanfield.com
Liverpool duo makes it into the Brazil World Cup squad, as star-studded Tite’s side heads into Qatar as Favorites to end their 20-year wait.
Liverpool ended their first half of the 2022-23 season with a win 3-1 over Southampton in Anfield, as now focus shifts to the prestigious World Cup in Qatar. The landmark event in the gulf state of Qatar will be the first World cup to be held in winter, moreover last tournament to feature 32 teams. In the 2026 World Cup, the tournament will get expanded to 48 teams.
Five times-World Cup winners Brazil is the No.1 team in the latest FIFA rankings, Brazil’s World Cup has a couple of surprise additions and omissions as two Reds make the cut.
Coach Tite’s 26 man-squad heads into the World Cup as favorites to lift the trophy. So it is finally Brazil’s time to shine?
Brazil at FIFA World Cup: Liverpool duo of Fabinho and Alisson in, whereas Firmino exed
In the first-ever World Cup to be held in the Middle East, the 22nd edition of the tournament is ready to take center stage.
In the recently announced Brazil International squad, coach Tite has named his final 26-member squad. Star-studded Brazil’s squad has nine attackers, as the South American side wants to keep their ruthlessness in attack.
The 26-names feature some of the World’s best and most famous names, in which 23 out of the 26 names represent clubs outside Brazil. Liverpool’s duo of midfielder Fabinho and goalkeeper Alisson makes it into the team. The two straightforward picks, however, both players have a lot of competition for the starting spot given the high level of competition in each position.
Coach Tite has a huge task ahead to pick his best eleven, as star-studded Brazil’s team looks like this:
Full Brazil Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022
Goalkeeper
Alisson, Ederson, Weverton
Defenders
Dani Alves, Danilo, ALex Sandro, Alex Telles, Bremer, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva
Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Everton Ribeiro, Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paqueta
Attackers
Antony, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar, Pedro, Raphinha, Richarlison, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr
However, one of the surprise omissions from Tite’s squad is Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino. Instead, Tite went for Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and Tottenham’s Richarlison, who is yet to open his account for Spurs in Premier League games so far.
Firmino hasn’t played for Brazil since the Copa America final in 2021, moreover, being an unused substitute in eight games this year. However, the Forward did put himself in a good position to be called up having found his mojo back and regained form in Liverpool. So far, Bobby has with 9 goals and 3 assists in his total of 21 appearances with the club.
Brazil will surely be missing a great team player and majestic attacking option for the upcoming event in Qatar. Hope Tite doesn’t regret his decision.
However, some section of Liverpool fans has welcomed seeing Firmino not selected. The 31-year-old who has been one of the bright stars in the difficult first half of the 2022-23 season, will certainly get rest which will help.
The Selcao looking to bounce back from the tough 2018 World Cup, is this time to end their 20 years wait?
Brazil’s humiliating defeat to Germany in 2014 in front of the home crowd, still haunts many. Since head coach Adenor Leanardo Bacchi popularly known as Tite took over Brazil’s managerial duties in 2016, his first challenge was to lift the broken squad.
So far in Tite’s era, Brazil has secured two Copa America finals spots, winning on one occasion. However, in the 2018 World Cup, the Selcao suffered a heartbreak losing to Belgium in the Quarterfinals.
Tite has cleverly used the anger and disappointment in the 2018 World Cup to grow stronger and win the 2019 Copa America. Moreover, after another painful loss to Argentina in the 2021 Copa America final in their own backyard, Brazil has yet again responded brilliantly. The 2019 Copa America champions since their defeat against Argentina, have won 12, drew 3 in 15 games, and scored 38 goals in the process.
Brazil who are in Group G alongside Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon as they play their opening game against Serbia on November 24. The Selcoa are expected to top the group, and progress into the knockout stages.
However, the biggest dilemma for Tite is figuring out how all his forwards make it into his plan. The squad full of ruthless attackers is Brazil’s main strength, as so far he has experimented between 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, and 4-4-2.
Getting the best out of his attacking men is crucial for Brazil’s success in Qatar with nine attackers at his helm. Moreover, experience players in defense such as Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, and veteran Dani Alves, meanwhile in midfield players such as Casemiro, Fabinho, Bruno Guimaraes, and Lucas Paqueta will be one to watch, as Tite favors him, as he played seven out eight games this year.
Given Brazil’s rich history in the tournament winning five times, the expectation for Brazil is almost to win the World Cup. All eyes will be on Brazil this time, as the team is well-equipped and most importantly learned to recover from setbacks.
Lifting the trophy won’t come easy, with the round of 16 likely to be Portugal or Uruguay, while European powerhouses such as Belgium, Spain, or Germany could be on the cards in the quarterfinals.
Brazil has to arrive in Qatar in their best version, to lift the trophy after 20 years.
Can the Liverpool duo lift the World Cup trophy with Brazil in Qatar?
