Liverpool has announced their first permanent transfer of the January 2025 window, but it involves a player leaving rather than joining the club.
Pitaluga Returns to Fluminense
Reports from Brazil over the weekend indicated that Fluminense was in talks with Liverpool to sign goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga, who had expressed a wish to return to his home country.
The negotiations have now been completed, with Liverpool confirming the transfer.
As stated on Liverpool’s official website, the 22-year-old goalkeeper has moved to Fluminense on a permanent deal, pending international clearance.
Pitaluga, who originally joined Liverpool from Fluminense in 2020, departs without making a competitive first-team appearance, despite being part of the senior matchday squad seven times.
To enable the move, Pitaluga was recalled from his loan at Livingston, where he made two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup. He has also had loan spells at Macclesfield Town and St Patrick’s Athletic.
No Opportunities at Liverpool
Pitaluga struggled for first-team opportunities at Liverpool, competing with top goalkeepers Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher, along with reliable third-choice Vitezslav Jaros and the expected arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili. With such depth in the goalkeeper position, regular playing time for the young Brazilian seemed unlikely.
Though he never played a competitive match for Liverpool, Pitaluga earned praise from his fellow Brazilian Alisson, who called him a “dedicated” and “really talented” goalkeeper. His limited chances reflected Liverpool’s depth in the position rather than any lack of ability on his part.
Best Wishes for Pitaluga
While Pitaluga’s inability to secure a first-team role at Anfield is unfortunate, his return to Fluminense offers a new chapter, especially after the club’s recent victory in the 2023 Copa Libertadores. Liverpool fans will be wishing him the best as he heads back to Brazil to continue his career.
