The Red Knights experienced a dip in results and performance this season, prompting the club’s management to appoint Sabri Lamouchi as head coach back in October. The Frenchman of Tunisian decent has been working hard to get the club back on track since then.

FIFA.com spoke with Lamouchi, who expressed his excitement about the forthcoming global showpiece. "It’s a great opportunity, even if I wasn’t at the helm of the team that won the league title," he said. "Credit goes to the coach who was here before me. The tournament will give my players a chance to showcase their skills at a higher level."

The draw to decide the match pairings will take place on January 19 in Zurich, with everyone keen to find out who will succeed Liverpool and lift the most prestigious trophy in world club football.

Around 13 months ago, the Reds finished off 2019 with a win over Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo to claim the Club World Cup, but they will not be able to defend their title. Last summer, Bayern Munich won the UEFA Champions League and now have the chance to add a second Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet after their 2013 success.

The winner will be revealed on January 24, with 60 percent of the votes supplied by the direct participation of fans on the-AFC.com and 40 percent by a panel of Asian football experts.

Check out the nominees once again and don't forget, the result will be announced on January 24. Thank you for voting.

The winner will be revealed on January 24, with 60 percent of the votes supplied by the direct participation of fans on the-AFC.com and 40 percent by a panel of Asian football experts.

Check out the nominees once again and don't forget, the result will be announced on January 24. Thank you for voting.

Also Try:

The Asian Football Quiz: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 14, Round 15, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18, Round 19, Round 20, Round 21, Round 22,Round 23.Round 24, Round 25, Round 26, Round 27, Round 28, Round 29

Last week we presented the candidates for the 2020 edition's best goalkeeper, and now we shine the spotlight on the players who will make up the backline.

So, here are the 14 players in contention for the four places in defence. Review the nominees and then choose your favourite defenders for this all-star XI in the respective polls.

The semi-finals garnered hundreds of thousands of votes with Persepolis FC's Mehdi Abdi Qara leading the way with two of his goals making the final.

Abdi Qara, however, won't have it easy in the final - which will feature six goals - as Yokohama F. Marinos' Theerathon Bunmathan, Al Nassr duo Abderrazak Hamdallah and Abdulrahman Al Obaid and Esteghlal FC's Cheick Diabate also enjoyed sizeable support in the semi-finals.

Check out the finalists and cast your vote below!