As European champions, Liverpool will enter the competition in the semi-finals with a match against CONCACAF Champions League winners Monterrey, Al Sadd or minnows Hienghene Sport of New Caledonia.

Earlier this year, Barcelona and Spain great Xavi took over as coach at Al Sadd, who are competing at the Club World Cup as champions of the host nation.

They will play Oceania representatives Hienghene Sport on Wednesday, Dec 11, with the winner going on to face Monterrey three days later.

The winners of that match will then meet Liverpool on Dec 18, while the as-yet unknown Copa Libertadores winners will enter in the other semi-final.

They will face either the Asian champions or African champions Esperance Tunis on Dec 17.

The final will be played on Dec 21.

Liverpool lost to Sao Paulo in Japan in the final when they last took part in the competition in 2005.