Marcelo Pitaluga has returned from loan to join Liverpool’s Dubai training camp, according to reports. The player has been with Macclesfield.
This comes from the Athletic. They say that Marcelo Pitaluga will join up with Liverpool in Dubai as he recovers from an injury.
The 19-year-old is spending the season with Macclesfield but saw his loan-spell interrupted with an ankle injury. He’ll now continue his recovering with Liverpool as they prepare for the second half of the campaign in Dubai.
Pitaluga won’t play in either friendly, of course, but it’s clearly been decided that he’ll do better with the Reds – and with a change of scenery.
Pitaluga to join Liverpool training camp
It’s a nice move from Liverpool, who will include Diogo Jota in their camp, too. The Portuguese forward isn’t expected to return to fitness until February but the Reds believe it’ll do him good to be with the squad.
“A change of scenery is always a welcome factor when recovering from a long-term injury,” said Lijnders, per the Athletic’s article.
Luis Díaz is expected to be fully fit by the time the Dubai camp is done, too. Both Joel Matip and Naby Keita are already good to go in what is turning out to be a very beneficial break for Liverpool.
As for Pitaluga, his immediate future is unclear. A loan spell in the eighth tier of English football doesn’t suggest that a first-team place is imminent. He’s a bright prospect nonetheless, though, and one to watch.
Liverpool going out of their way to include him this winter is a sign that they still love his potential. He’s only 19, too, and may not be first-team ready for another four or five years. He’s certainly far behind Caoimhín Kelleher in his development, anyway.
Pitaluga can come out of this camp refreshed, hopefully, and back on track as he builds his senior career.
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