Dominik Livakovic says he is patiently waiting for another opportunity at Barcelona after finding first-team football hard to come by since joining the club late in the summer transfer window.
The Croatia goalkeeper has made only one appearance for Barcelona since moving from Turkish side Fenerbahce for €2m, with competition for places under manager Hansi Flick limiting his opportunities.
Livakovic started Croatia’s 2-1 defeat by England at Wembley on Thursday and is expected to play against Czech Republic tonight in the UEFA Nations League, giving him regular match time with his national team that he has not been receiving at club level.
The 31-year-old joined Barcelona as the club strengthened its goalkeeping options, but his sole outing came in the 3-1 victory over Sevilla on 19 September. He was selected because first-choice goalkeeper Joan Garcia was unavailable through injury.
Speaking while away with Croatia, Livakovic said he was proud to have joined one of the world’s biggest clubs.
“I am a young man from Zadar playing for Barcelona, and I am very proud of that,” he said. “I have already had the opportunity to play in goal for such a big club. I am training now, waiting for my chance, and I feel good.”
Livakovic has signed a four-year contract running until the summer of 2030, but faces a crowded battle for selection alongside Garcia, Poland international Wojciech Szczesny and Iker Rodriguez.
The goalkeeper acknowledged the standard required at Barcelona, telling Mundo Deportivo: “Training at Barcelona is extremely difficult. We are talking about the best players in the world.
“It would be ideal to be the goalkeeper in every match, but I am waiting patiently for my opportunity.”
Copa del Rey could offer route back
Livakovic could have a chance to return to the Barcelona side in the Copa del Rey. He is expected to start in the last-32 tie, scheduled for 15 or 16 December, when Barcelona will face a lower-ranked opponent in a single-match fixture. The identity of their opponents has not yet been decided.
The competition may give Flick the opportunity to rotate his team and select players who have had limited minutes in La Liga. That could provide Livakovic with a platform to demonstrate that he deserves further involvement in the weeks ahead.
Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has also made clear that he would like to see the goalkeeper play more regularly for Barcelona.
“It would be great to see Livakovic playing regularly for Barcelona,” Bilic said. “He is a very good goalkeeper.”
For now, Livakovic’s immediate route to changing his position remains continued work in training and making the most of any opportunity that comes his way.
