Liverpool duo included in World Cup squad as Firmino suffers blow

Roberto Firmino has suffered a heartbreak at the World Cup after the Liverpool striker was left out of Brazil's squad

Firmino - who represented his country in the 2018 finals - was overlooked by national team coach Tite, who named his 26-man party the match on Monday.

However, neither Liverpool goalkeeper  Alisson Becker nor Fabinho was excluded in the squad. Brazil, one of the favourites for the tournament, have been placed in Group G, where they will meet Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.

Firmino has had a decent goalscoring season for Liverpool so far, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 19 games. He has surpassed Richarlison, Anthony, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in the Premier League this season - all of whom have been included in the Brazil squad.

The 31-year-old has played just one cap since losing to Argentina in the Copa America last July. But he had the desire to play in Qatar.

Firmino said in September: "I dream of being at the World Cup.

"I've always been a positive person. My first thought is to be there. I'll be anxious about it, hopeful of being called up as that's what I work hard towards and where I want to be."