LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, 20 February, 2022: Liverpool’s goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga runs out for the second-half during the Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Liverpool FC Under-23’s and Blackburn Rovers FC Under-23’s at the Liverpool Academy. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Pic by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)

Liverpool confirm another loan transfer as Brazilian goalkeeper departs

Liverpool have now confirmed their sixth loan of the summer, as Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga departs on a season-long deal in the eighth tier.

New sporting director Julian Ward has been busy in his first weeks in the job at Anfield, with three signings, two sales and now six loan deals sanctioned.

The latest sees Pitaluga, widely considered the next goalkeeper to step up to the first team, join Macclesfield Town for the 2022/23 campaign.

The 19-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Fluminense in a £1.8 million deal in 2020, spent last season as first choice with the under-23s and fourth choice with the senior squad.

He trains daily with the first team and regularly travels for matchdays home and away, but will now be given a much different challenge of establishing himself as No. 1 in the Northern Premier League Division One West.

It is a bold move for Pitaluga – who will likely still train with Jurgen Klopp‘s squad at the AXA Training Centre – as he adjusts to the rigours of English football.

Macclesfield are currently in the eighth tier of the pyramid, having won the North West Counties Football League Premier Division title last time out.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 4, 2021: Liverpool's goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. Liverpool won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“To attract players of Marcelo’s stature really does exemplify how far the football club has come – in what remains a very short period of time,” Robbie Savage, director of football at Macclesfield, told the club’s official website.

“For Liverpool Football Club to trust us with one of their most promising talents speaks volumes about how we are perceived in the wider footballing world and I would like to thank them wholeheartedly for allowing Marcelo to join us for the 2022/23 campaign.”

Klopp, along with goalkeeping coaches John Achterberg, Claudio Taffarel and Jack Robinson, is a firm admirer of Pitaluga, and a close eye will be kept on his progress at Macclesfield.

His exit almost certainly confirms that Caoimhin Kelleher will stay at Liverpool.

Good luck, Marcelo!