Pitaluga Ends St Patricks’ Loan Early

Liverpool’s young Brazilian goalkeeper, Marcelo Pitaluga, has returned early from his loan at St. Patrick’s Athletic following a challenging stint in Ireland.

Originally set to last until November, his time was cut short after only seven appearances. This premature end opens a new chapter for the 21-year-old back at Anfield, where he’ll have the chance to reset his career trajectory under Liverpool’s revamped goalkeeping department.

Pitaluga joined St. Patrick’s in January, following a successful loan spell with Macclesfield. The move was intended to build his experience, following in the footsteps of fellow Reds goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, who thrived at the club in 2021.

Pitaluga’s experience didn’t mirror his team mate’s success however. His debut was marred by an error-strewn performance in a 3-1 loss to Waterford, leading to his eventual sidelining from the first team. Although he initially featured in St. Pat’s first four league games, he only saw action once more, in a cup match, before his loan was terminated.

The managerial change at St. Pat’s, with Stephen Kenny taking the helm, didn’t improve Pitaluga’s fortunes on the field. Kenny praised the Brazilian’s character and potential, commenting that “Marcelo is a great guy with a good career ahead of him,” but ultimately confirmed that Pitaluga would be better served by returning to Liverpool.

Liverpool have made significant changes to its goalkeeping coaching setup over the summer, including the appointment of Fabian Otte as the new head goalkeeping coach. Otte, who recently worked with the U.S. national team at Copa America, brings a fresh approach that could prove invaluable for Pitaluga should he remain at the club.

Pitaluga’s return also comes amid uncertainties regarding the future of Caoimhin Kelleher, with the Irishman having expressed a desire for regular first-team football. Even should Kelleher depart though, Pitaluga is likely to find Jaros ahead of him in the pecking order, whilst the club may well opt to dip into the market for a new second choice. Another loan to continue his development appears to be the most likely option for the 21-year-old.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *