Liverpool goalkeeping prospect Marcelo Pitaluga made an amazing save from point-blank range on Tuesday evening.
The 19-year-old is currently on-loan at non-league side Macclesfield FC. In a video posted on Macclesfield’s official Twitter page, Pitaluga could be seen making the stunning save on his debut against West Brom.
As a dinked cross comes into the box, the Brazilian goalie scampers back across his line. The heads go up in the box and as the attacker powers it goalward, it looks for all the world like it’s going in.
Pitaluga has other ideas, though. He throws himself across the goal to miraculously keep out the powerful header. It was one of several excellent saves on the night from the youngster, and his clean sheet earned him the Man of the Match award.
On this evidence, it was richly deserved. Excellent stuff from the teenager.
Pitaluga turning heads at Macclesfield
This is the type of save which starts to get you noticed. It’s only one moment, but in the age of social media, these things quickly take off.
It’s not all that often that a ‘keeper as young as Pitaluga shows up with a save as good as that. As a result, there’s good reason for excitement from Liverpool fans.
Yes, it’s only pre-season, and yes, he’s playing at a low level. But the opposition on Tuesday were Steve Bruce’s West Bromwich Albion. No slouches.
There’s no need for added pressure to be thrust on Pitaluga’s young shoulders. He may well make an error next time out, and this display will be thrown in the shade – that’s just the life of a goalkeeper.
But early signs are encouraging. There was more than a whiff of Alisson Becker about the way he pounced on the ball there.
The Liverpool coaches will be delighted with what they’re seeing from Pitaluga so far. Season’s are long and mistakes will be made, but this is the kind of save that deserves celebrating.
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