Liverpool have been calling up many young players from the academy for first-team action recently. The likes of Tyler Morton, Owen Beck, and Kaide Morton have all played their part recently for Klopp’s first team. But one notable name who is yet to play for Liverpool & Klopp’s first team is Marcelo Pitaluga.
The Brazilian shot-stopper is heavily training with the first-team recently.
Lately, in mid-December, Pitaluga was on the bench for the Newcastle game in Premier League for the very first time. And in Liverpool’s last game against Leicester in EFL Cup he was again an unused sub.
And now with goalie Adrian injured Klopp made the decision to promote Pitaluga as the club’s number three.
During Klopp Pre-Wolves press conference, the German clearly stated:
Now Adrian is injured at the moment, so Marcelo is now No. 3. A very young boy, but that’s all fine.
Pitaluga is unlikely to play anytime sooner with Adrian, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Alisson above him in the pecking order. But the Brazilian youngster is on the right path to get a chance in the future and continue impressing.
With the Reds’ first-choice goalkeeper being Brazilian and the newest coaching staff addition Claudio Taffarel a goalkeeping icon of Brazil, there’s plenty of inspiration for Pitaluga as he aims to progress.
Who is Marcelo Pitaluga ? and why are Liverpool fans excited for the youngster ?
Marcelo Pitaluga was born on December 20, 2002, in Niteroi, Brazil. The 19-year-old arrived from Fluminense to Liverpool in October 2020 after impressing in both country and club’s youth level.
The youngster has been a regular feature in Red’s U-23 side. And Liverpool’s U-23 coach Barry Lewtas is delightful with Pitaluga’s majestic show so far in the level. And his progress earned him a place to train with the first team.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Lewtas says:
Liverpool obviously saw something rather special in Marcelo Pitaluga.
Otherwise, why else would they make such a concerted effort to lure a little-known 17-year-old goalkeeper all the way to Anfield?
Coach Lewtas also adds via Liverpool Echo, he says:
His distribution was good in real tough conditions and he was a really important part of our game today.
When you need a bit of calmness and maturity, he was able to give it to us. His kicking was good and he was really mature in how he played.
Moreover, Liverpool no. 1, Alisson Becker has also praised his fellow compatriot with his progress.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website Alisson says:
I saw him a few times back in Brazil, but I could know more about him here as a goalie and as a person as well.
He is a really special boy, he is really excited about having the opportunity to play for Liverpool.
Now he has settled in and is doing really well in training. He is a boy who trains really hard and is really dedicated for what he is doing. And someone who likes to learn as well.
So it is really good to work together with him, not only for being Brazilian but for being a really good talent and such a good person.
It is now understood why many Liverpool fans are excited for Pitaluga and see him as the long-term successor of Alisson Becker.
