Barcelona coach Flick reconsiders Livaković's loan move amid injury concerns

Dominik Livaković's anticipated one-year loan spell from Barcelona may not materialize, as coach Hansi Flick is reportedly reconsidering the initial plan. Livaković, who recently transferred from Turkish club Fenerbahçe for a fee of two million euros plus potential bonuses, signed a contract with Barcelona until June 2030. The initial strategy was for him to gain experience elsewhere before potentially becoming the backup to Joan Garcia in the 2025-26 season, following the departure of veteran Wojciech Szczesny.

However, Spanish media outlets SER and Diario Sport report that Flick is now evaluating whether to keep Livaković with the squad this season. This reconsideration stems from Barcelona's recent struggles with goalkeeping injuries. Last season, the team had to rely on Szczesny, their nominal third-choice keeper, for 12 matches due to injuries to Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Szczesny's performance during that period, conceding 21 goals in 12 games without a clean sheet, has also contributed to Flick's reevaluation.

The club's history of goalkeeping injuries is a significant factor. In the past two seasons, Inaki Pena, the nominal backup, made 40 appearances due to Ter Stegen's absences. Ter Stegen has since moved to Ajax. Furthermore, the current first-choice goalkeeper, Joan Garcia, a 25-year-old Spaniard, has a history of knee issues, including meniscus tears that have sidelined him previously. This pattern of injuries raises concerns about his long-term availability.

Given Garcia's injury history and Szczesny's current form, Livaković's role as a backup could potentially evolve into significant playing time, especially next season after Szczesny's contract ends. This situation suggests that Livaković's initial perceived status as a mere backup might offer more opportunities than initially anticipated, providing him with valuable experience and contributing to Barcelona's goalkeeping stability.

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We talked about that situation. For me, it's good to have experienced goalkeepers available for next year. We'll see what happens on the market. We have time to make a decision.