Liverpool U23 coach Barry Lewtas has paid tribute to the ‘fantastic’ Marcelo Pitaluga with the Brazilian shot-stopper making a big impression at the Premier League giants, speaking to the club’s official website.
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?
The former Fluminense starlet was offered a three-year contract – not to mention a substantial pay rise – before putting pen to paper with the Reds some 12 months ago.
And, at just 18, Pitaluga is already a regular fixture in Lewtas’ U23 side, keeping his first clean sheet at the level during Sunday’s 3-0 hammering of Leicester City.
Is Marcelo Pitaluga a future Liverpool number one?
“I have to say a word for our goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga,” says Lewtas, highlighting his distrubition as well as his ability to command the penalty area.
“Who I thought was excellent with coming for crosses and his kicking.
“I thought Marcelo was fantastic. He doesn’t like the cold!” Lewtas adds, via the Liverpool Echo. “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.”
It is understood that many at Liverpool see Pitaluga as a long-term successor for compatriot Alisson Becker.
Given that Alisson, a £63 million Brazil international with Premier League and Champions League winners’ medals on his CV, is one of the finest shot-stoppers in world football today, that should tell you how highly Pitaluga is regarded behind the scenes.
“Pitaluga is there on his merits. Liverpool had been watching him for a long time,” Muriel Becker, Alisson’s older brother and a goalkeeper himself, said last year.
“We know the potential he has, the great goalkeeper he is and, even more, what he will achieve,”
“He is an excellent boy, from a good family, down to earth and he works hard. I’m sure he will make football history.
“We were very happy (to see him head to Liverpool). I am also happy that he will be Alisson’s companion, who will be able to help and accompany him. He is a boy who loves to learn, he is always listening.
“I am very happy with his success, he is deserving of it.”
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