The Werder Bremen ace has been linked with a move to the Premier League
Werder Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka has been dubbed the “gloved guardian angel.”
The 26-year-old has made headlines for some outlandish saves and it has reportedly caught the attention of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
He’s just finished his first season in the Bundesliga with Bremen but could now be on the move again.
talkSPORT takes a look at the man who could be Liverpool’s new number one…
Name: Jiri Pavlenka
Date of birth: April 14, 1992
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Werder Bremen
International: Six caps for Czech Republic
2017/18 season stats: 34 Bundesliga games, eight clean sheets
Breakthrough
The 6ft 5inch shot-stopper joined Slavia Prague from previous club Banik Ostrava back in January 2016 for a reported transfer fee of £333,643.
In June 2017, Pavlenka joined German side Werder Bremen for around £2.6 million.
He saved an impressive 128 shots over 34 Bundesliga matches and kept eight clean sheets.
“I’m not sure he knows how good he is,” said Bremen coach Florian Kohfeldt speaking a few months ago.”He’s been great for us. For me, he’s been one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga so far this season, without a doubt.”
Qualities
Pavlenka has made headlines in Germany for his outlandish saves during the 2017/18 Bundesliga season.
The German media have even dubbed him the “gloved guardian angel.”
He has been particularly praised for his ability to save shots at close range.
Pavlenka said: “As a goalkeeper, you always have to be ready. You have to be even more alert and focused in the Bundesliga, otherwise you’ll be punished, but I wouldn’t have left Slavia if I thought there was anything to be scared of or if I didn’t want to improve.”
He added: “I want to get better with each passing game”
Next move?
The Czech keeper has been linked with a move to Merseyside after Reds shot stopper Loris Karius made two howlers in the Champions League Final.
Liverpool gaffer Jurgen Klopp has set his sights on a replacement ‘keeper for next season.
Roma’s Alisson was understood to be Klopp’s first choice but looks to be pushing for a move to Real Madrid, while Atletico Madrid will offer Jan Oblak a bumper new deal and another possible target, the veteran Gianluigi Buffon, is on his way to Paris Saint-Germain. Now Pavlenka is on Liverpool’s radar.
