At the 2022 World Cup, the Croatian team came close to repeating the sensational success they achieved four years earlier at the World Cup in Russia. At the 2018 World Cup, the “ladies” reached the final, where they lost to France. In Qatar, they were also stopped by the future champions (Argentines), but in the semifinals. As a result, Zlatko Dalic’s team finished third and won the bronze medal match. One of the great protagonists of the winter tournament was the Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
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According to statistics from the SofaScore website, Livakovic at the World Cup in Qatar became the best goalkeeper in terms of the number of saves – 25. And the second in the number of saves after shots from outside the box (14). In addition, he was in the top 3 in terms of accurate passes to the other half of the field (26). With Livakovic in goal, the Croatian team won on penalties in the round of 16 against Japan and in the quarterfinals against Brazil. The Japanese did not score from the “spot” three hits, the Brazilians – two.
In addition, a month ago, the Croatian team with Livakovic reached the final of the League of Nations. This tournament was supposed to further raise the already high rating of the ladies’ goalkeeper. However, Dominik still plays in his homeland for Dinamo Zagreb. But the Croatian championship is far from being a top league. In the UEFA club ranking, he occupies only 19th place.
Livakovich is already 28 years old. He made his debut in the national team not a year or two ago, but in 2017. At the World Championship in Russia, he was a substitute for Daniel Subasic, but after that tournament he became the first number of the Croatian national team. In addition, Dominic has a rather rich European experience: 16 matches in the group stage of the Champions League and 29 matches in the group stage and playoffs of the Europa League. The goalkeeper’s class is beyond doubt, he is also endowed with leadership qualities – in the last four years he has been entrusted with the role of team captain.
Why is Livakovic still not in the top league? This question is asked, even in the homeland of a football player. For example, the Vecernji.hr site published an article this spring in which journalists discussed Dominik’s failed transfer.
Our colleagues from Croatia interviewed the experts. Andy Bar’s manager commented:
“I think Livakovich had invitations, but he doesn’t want to leave just to leave. The proposals received clearly did not satisfy him or the club. He was good at Dynamo all the time. He also has an excellent status in the Croatian national team. He would say that he didn’t want to take chances and take what he didn’t need. He goes to a club where he doesn’t feel safe.”
According to Croatian media, Dinamo wants to earn at least 10 million euros from the sale of Livakovic, an amount that is specified in his contract, which is valid until the summer of 2024. The club understands that without Dominik it will be very difficult to access the phase group stage of the Champions League, that the Zagreb team will start from the second qualifying round. In addition, Dynamo sold key players in the winter window – Mislav Orsic and Aryan Ademi. For Croats, outgoing transfers remain an important source of budget replenishment.
Dominik Livakovich
Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
“Livakovic’s price has been quite high for a long time,” agent Marko Naletilich explained to the Croatian website. Goalkeepers are not that easy to sell: they are not bought in bulk at all transfer windows. He must be the first goalkeeper, and not the second, the one who fights for a spot at the base. This is not an option for him because Livakovych’s rating is too high. According to the reaction on the goal line, he is the best goalkeeper in the world. This is one of the strongest goalkeepers on the market today.”
Rumors about Livakovich, of course, are enough. In the post-World Cup winter window of 2022, they wrote about Chelsea’s interest in him, with Bayern reportedly wanting to replace the injured Manuel Neuer with a Croat. Dominic’s name was also associated with Nottingham Forest.
During the summer window, Villarreal is shaping up to be the main candidate for Livakovic, but the Spanish club offered only €8 million plus bonuses. In addition, there was information about the negotiations with Fiorentina and Fenerbahce, as well as the fact that Manchester United sees Dominic as the team’s new reserve goalkeeper. However, the Manchester United or Bayern bench hardly attracts the goalkeeper himself with his status.
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Livakovic’s only signing is from Zagreb to Dynamo for €625,000 in 2015. Then Dominik stayed on loan in Zagreb for one season, and after that the goalkeeper plays only for Dynamo. But it seems that in the current summer window Livakovich should be transferred to the top flight in Europe at the height of his career, otherwise the 2022 World Cup star risks not going anywhere.
