Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said the better team won as the Reds left it late to book their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in Doha.
The game against CONCACAF Champions League winners Monterrey, of Mexico, looked like it was heading for extra-time, before Roberto Firmino popped up to send Klopp's charges through.
The European champions had taken the lead on 11 minutes when Naby Keita finished after being played through by Mo Salah.
But it lasted less than three minutes, as Alisson couldn't hold a close-range shot, and Funes Mori put the rebound into the net.
"We controlled the game for long periods of time, in the first-half especially" said Klopp afterwards.
"We played really well for a line-up which is made to control the game because we had not a lot of defensive players on the pitch.
"Of course that's a problem. They had their counter-attacks, and one or two long balls.
"All you need is Alisson Becker!"
'Let's see what we can do' - Jurgen Klopp looks ahead to the final of the #FIFAClubWorldCup #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/rraMr6sqMA
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 18, 2019
While Liverpool were on top, the Mexican club had their chances
Alisson was forced into a couple of saves mid-way through the second-half from Pavon and Mori, and this led Klopp to introduce Sadio Mane and eventually the match winner Firmino.
"The most important thing is really the resilience that you see," the Liverpool manager continued.
"They want to go, and go. Both teams worked really hard.
"And then you can bring on the boys, Trent (Alexander-Arnold), Bobby and Sadio, and we score that wonderful goal."
Monterrey boss Antonio Mohamed was less than happy Joe Gomez remained on the pitch, suggesting he was only spared a second yellow card because he was a Liverpool player.
The defender was booked for hauling down goalscorer Funes Mori and then handled late on, which had Mohamed furiously calling for another caution.
He succeeded only in getting himself carded, with Klopp immediately following him into the book for a technical area transgression.
"For me, there was a red card, especially the first foul and the second," said Mohamed.
"So I talked to the referee. Maybe a Liverpool shirt has more weight, therefore the Liverpool player wasn't sent off."
Liverpool have made a late decision to fly 16-year-old Harvey Elliott to Qatar after the injury he sustained impressing against Aston Villa was not deemed serious.
Three of his team-mates on Tuesday night - Ki-Jana Hoever, Sepp Van Den Berg and Irish U21 international Caoimhin Kelleher - were already on their way and now Elliott will join them.
Elliott, Hoever and Van Den Berg were named in the official 23-man squad so will be eligible to face Flamengo in Saturday's final but Kelleher will not as he was not on the original list.
