The Liverpool goalkeeper returns early to solve the problem with Arne Slot after the transfer plan is changed

Marcelo Pitaluga returned to Liverpool after his loan at St. Pat’s Athletic was prematurely terminated.

The Brazilian, who impressed on loan at Macclesfield last season, joined the Irish outfit on a temporary basis in January after signing a contract extension with the Reds. With the Premier Division League of Ireland season running from February to November, he was due to remain with the club until the end of the Irish campaign.

However, after a shaky start for St. Pat’s, the 21-year-old lost his place at the start of March after just six appearances in all competitions. Since then, he has made just one more exit, the appointment of former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny in May, without improving his fortunes.

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As a result, it is believed that Pitaluga’s decision to return to Liverpool was a joint one made in response to his limited playing time. And with a number of changes behind the scenes in the Reds’ goalkeeping department this summer following the departures of John Achterberg and Jack Robinson, it was recognized that it would be beneficial for the Brazilian to work under new first-team goalkeeping boss coach Fabian. Otte this summer.

Losing his place to Danny Rogers, Pitaluga was left as an unused substitute for St. John’s final 20 games. Bed in the league – including Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Bohemians. And speaking after the game, Kenny confirmed the Brazilian will return to Liverpool after announcing the signing of former West Ham United goalkeeper Joe Anang earlier in the week.

“There have been transformational changes here in the offseason anyway, with a lot of signings,” Kenny said. “Three are back this week – Kieran (Freeman) in Scotland, we’ve also said goodbye to Marcelo (Pitaluga), a great guy and I think he’s got a good career ahead of him.

“And Alfie (Taylor) is back at Hull. Joe Anang has been training with us since Monday and I’m hoping to have one next week, but we’ll have to see.”

While Pitaluga’s spell in Ireland ultimately didn’t work out, his premature return to Liverpool would be a welcome one as new head coach Arne Slot contemplates a potential goalkeeping overhaul.

Alisson Becker remains the undisputed first choice at Anfield, but third choice Adrian is now no longer a Reds player after his contract expired at the end of June. He has been offered an extension but the 37-year-old is reportedly set to join former club Real Betis on a free transfer.

Meanwhile, Caoimhin Kelleher faces an uncertain future, with the 25-year-old previously admitting he is ready to pursue first-team football elsewhere. Should the Ireland international also leave the club, it will leave Vitezslav Jaros, who enjoyed a successful loan move to Sturm Graz in the second half of last season, as Liverpool’s next highest-rated goalkeeper.

The 22-year-old, who also spent time on loan at St. Pat’s, was a member of the Czech Republic’s Euro 2024 squad after impressing as he helped the Austrian side win a league and cup double. However, he has been linked with a reunion with former Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders at Red Bull Salzburg, with whether he remains at Anfield as Alisson’s understudy yet to be seen.

However, Liverpool will be without Alisson and Jaros when pre-season begins this week due to their international exploits, with the Reds number one currently representing Brazil at the Copa America.

As a result, Liverpool are set to start the summer with Kelleher, Pitaluga and Harvey Davies as their top goalkeeping options available, with Jaros due to report to the AXA Training Center in mid-July. Should Brazil book their place in the Copa America quarter-finals, with their final group game against Colombia on Tuesday, Alisson is likely to miss the start of the Reds’ pre-season tour of the United States at the end of the month. .