Marcelo Pitaluga was in Liverpool training yesterday despite leaving for Macclesfield FC last week.
The Liverpool youngster was seen in training on Thursday at the AXA Training Centre after completing a season-long loan to the non-league side.
Pitaluga made up part of the goalkeeping contingent ahead of Alisson Becker’s arrival this weekend.
As Macclesfield only train part-time, it likely means that Pitaluga will still be around at Liverpool to train throughout the season.
Pitaluga in the headlines
Pitaluga’s move to play non-league football generated some headlines last week. Macclesfield’s Director of Football, Robbie Savage, couldn’t hide his delight at the coup for his side.
It does feel a little bizarre that a Brazil youth international will be playing in the 8th tier of English football.
But with this latest bit of information, you can see the logic. It should mean that Pitaluga gets the chance to play regular men’s football, whilst still training with elite players.
Hopefully that will strike a nice balance for his development as he maintains a presence around the club.
Sink or swim for the young Brazilian
There’s certainly high hopes for the teenager. In January, Jurgen Klopp called the Brazilian an ‘incredible talent’ via The Guardian. It feels as though he’s possibly being prepped as Alisson’s long-term successor.
If that is the case, then quite a lot rides on the next 12 months for Pitaluga. Although it’s a much lower level, non-league football is a completely different beast to what he’s been used to.
Failure to make an impression as a young goalkeeper shouldn’t be seen as a sign of weakness amidst the rough and tumble. But if he can’t manage to stand out, perhaps he isn’t at the level initially thought.
Hopefully that doesn’t happen and the teenager goes on to have a brilliant spell.
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