Lee Dixon has criticised Croatia goalkeeper and Leeds United transfer target Dominik Livakovic during his role as co-commentator on ITV Sport’s coverage of the World Cup semi-final – as Argentina strolled to a 3-0 win in Qatar.
Livakovic, 27, has been one of the breakout stars of this winter’s World Cup. His two clean sheets in three group stage games, as well as saving four penalties in two shootouts against Japan and Brazil, have seen Livakovic earn huge praise.
But against Argentina, it was not his night. He conceded a penalty for a foul on Julian Alvarez, which Lionel Messi dispatched with aplomb – evading the reach of Livakovic. He could do little about the second, or the third goal.
With Chelsea and Manchester United interested in signing Illan Meslier, French outlet Media Foot claim that Leeds are considering a move to sign Livakovic. In the summer, he almost joined Nottingham Forest for a fee of £5million.
That fee is likely to be far north of that figure in January, given his form at the World Cup. Meslier looks as though he will not be going anywhere soon. Dixon wad critical of Livakovic for his role in the first goal, and conceding the penalty.
“The goalkeeper is still near the six-yard line, he’s too deep. He’s not expecting anything to happen and then all of a sudden, he had to come out. If he’s on the edge of the box, he gets that before Alvarez,” Dixon told ITV Sport.
Dixon has criticised Leeds transfer target Livakovic as Argentina win
The standard Livakovic has set between the sticks for Croatia at the World Cup is huge. Coming into the tournament, not many had heard of Croatia’s no.1. But everyone knows him now. His performances have been monumental.
So, his slightly below-par display against Argentina has been criticised. The victim of his own success, to a degree. There are question marks over the penalty – if Alvarez has gone to shoot and therefore, the contact is not a foul.
He could do little about the penalty, or the second and third goals. But he did produce a miraculous save to deny Alexis MacAllister with the Brighton star planting a header in the corner. Either way, a super tournament for Livakovic.
