Marcelo Pitaluga appears set to replace Adrian at Liverpool next season. The Spaniard’s contract is soon to expire.
Liverpool could see quite the clear-out this summer. Not only do some players see their contracts expire in June but several more enter the final year of their deal – including some big-name stars.
One player whose future is up in the air is Adrian. The veteran goalkeeper has featured just once this season, away at Preston North End in the EFL Cup. And that was only because Caoimhin Kelleher had an injury.
Adrian is, quite clearly, a distant third-choice goalkeeper right now and that won’t change anytime soon. Not with the way Kelleher continues to improve, certainly.
Thus we can’t imagine a new deal is on the way. It’s debatable whether Adrian would even want one, given he could almost certainly get game-time elsewhere. Liverpool, on the other side of this, may see an opportunity to promote one of their most exciting youngsters.
Liverpool could promote Marcelo Pitaluga
Jurgen Klopp made it clear in January that Marcelo Pitaluga was in his thoughts. “Marcelo is an incredible talent, so the next one in line,” he told the Guardian in an assessment of his goalkeepers.
And with Pitaluga now 19, it might be time to promote him to a bigger first-team role. He’s not going to take Alisson or Kelleher’s spot anytime soon, of course, but that third-choice role? We feel he’s ready for it.
It’s also a way to slightly trim the age of the first-team squad, while also opening up a foreign-player slot. The Brazilian is under 21 and doesn’t need registration. Add in the potential experience for Pitaluga – even if it is just one game per season – and the benefits feel quite clear.
Liverpool face a big decision on several players this summer. With Adrian, though, we think the path forward looks apparent.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
