Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Alisson Becker risks losing ‘really talented’ Liverpool colleague who could fill upcoming Klopp void to Milan or Atletico

Marcelo Pitaluga, Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk and Caoimhin Kelleher

Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher could leave this year

One of the goalkeepers Liverpool have behind Alisson Becker in their pecking order is now being watched by AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, according to a report.

Alisson is firmly established as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, and rightly so. Since joining the club from Roma in 2018, the Brazilian has starred in 218 games for the club. His next clean sheet for them will be his 100th in their colours.

Under contract until 2027, Alisson’s status as a regular starter is blocking the pathways of some other members of Liverpool’s goalkeeping department.

For example, there is an expectation this summer that Caoimhin Kelleher will be allowed to move on. Jurgen Klopp rates his main backup keeper highly, but there is an acknowledgement that the 24-year-old deserves more gametime that Liverpool simply can’t give while Alisson is there.

Hence, Kelleher could be on his way out of Anfield at the end of the season. The same could be true for third-choice, Adrian. Indeed, the Spaniard will be out of contract in June.

Now, it has emerged that a third Liverpool goalkeeper has admirers elsewhere. According to Football Insider, Marcelo Pitaluga from their under-21s is being monitored by AC Milan and Atletico Madrid.

Pitaluga joined Liverpool from Fluminense in his native Brazil during 2020. Earlier this season, he spent some time on loan with Macclesfield.

Now back with Liverpool’s under-21s, Pitaluga was reportedly watched by Milan and Atletico scouts during a recent game against Arsenal’s equivalent age group.

Pitaluga kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win for Liverpool, who navigated most of the second half with 10 men after a red card to one of the defenders in front of him.

Hence, the observers from Milan and Atletico have fed back good reports to their respective clubs. They might end up making moves for Pitaluga as a result.

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Chances of Pitaluga breakthrough at Liverpool unclear

The 20-year-old is due to be under contract with Liverpool until 2025. He has previously been described by his compatriot, Alisson as “really talented”.

Whether he will ever get the chance to express that talent at senior level for Liverpool remains to be seen. In theory, he could step up to one of the backup roles if Kelleher and Adrian leave. He has already been on the bench for Klopp’s side on a few occasions.

But Milan and Atletico are other illustrious clubs who would be worth considering if they have firm enough plans for him.

Pitaluga will be considering his next step carefully, since the report says he is targeting a place in Brazil’s squad for the 2024 Olympics. Having never yet played for his country at any youth level, he has about a year to earn that right.

Liverpool will have to think about what their plans with Pitaluga are. He clearly has one significant backer in the shape of Alisson, but will just have to keep working hard to prove himself until the time is right for something more significant.

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