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Performance data proves £9m Manchester United transfer target Dominik Livakovic was best in class at World Cup

Performance data proves that Manchester United transfer target Dominik Livakovic was the best in his specific class at the World Cup out in Qatar this winter.

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag is allegedly keen to bring the 27-year-old Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper to Old Trafford in the January transfer window (Sportske Novosti).

We have already outlined how Ten Hag should be targeting a more established name, as his hunt for a top-class first-choice goalkeeper continues to rumble on.

Livakovic really impressed out in Qatar at the World Cup though, and now there is statistical proof that he was head and shoulders above all the other goalkeepers, in one specific category at least.

Manchester United transfer target Dominik Livakovic top of the tree

The 27-year-old was sensational for Croatia at the World Cup.

And despite the fact that Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez won the tournament’s best goalkeeper award, Livakovic stood out in one particular category – arguably the most important one.

According to FBREF, he made more saves than any other stopper out in Qatar with 24, ahead of Poland’s Wojciech Szczesny (21) and the Netherlands’ Andries Noppert (18). For context, Martinez only made six saves.

The role of a goalkeeper today entails a lot more than just shot-stopping. It must be said though, if you can’t make saves, you’re not going to make it as a top-class stopper.

Media Foot claim that he could be available for around £9 million in the January transfer window. However, Ten Hag should be aiming a lot higher than bringing Livakovic to United.

The Croatian is not on the same level as David De Gea and, at 27, he definitely won’t be prepared to sit on the bench at Old Trafford for the next few years.

Having said that, his performances at the World Cup and the subsequent analytical data make for interesting reading, that’s for sure.

Read also: Fabrizio Romano drops big Denzel Dumfries Manchester United update.