Marcelo Pitaluga's difficult start to life in the League of Ireland continued on Monday night, as St. Patrick's Athletic went down 3-1 to Waterford.
Pitaluga joined the Saints on loan from Liverpool before the start of the LOI season, on the back of signing a contract extension for the Anfield club.
The idea was for the Brazilian stopper to gain first-team experience and while he has been doing so, some of his performances have left St. Pat's fans a little underwhelmed.
Another error from #LFC goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga (21) on loan at St Patrick’s Athletic tonight.
Completed just 31% of his attempted passes (8/26) in 3-1 loss to Waterford.
There were six saves along with that, however. pic.twitter.com/YU0hZLlhiH— Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) March 4, 2024
Marcelo Pitaluga struggles continue
A disappointing display in the President's Cup defeat to Shamrock Rovers was followed up by a clean sheet in an opening league win over Galway, but since then the Inchicore side have let in six goals in three successive defeats.
During the 3-1 loss to Waterford on Monday, Pitaluga was highlighted for a woeful attempt at playing out from the back with the score at 1-0.
He was also at fault for Waterford's second goal on the night, spilling a cross before Pádraig Amond tapped home for his second of the night.
Pitaluga completed just 31% of his attempted passes on the night but it should be added that he made six saves to keep Waterford down to just three goals.
Footage of Pitaluga's errors have been doing the rounds among Liverpool fans on Twitter, with many expressing concern at what they see.
Empire of the Kop wrote that he "made a real mess of a ball played back to him and nearly handed the opposition an easy goal," while Pat's fans have been equally critical of his performance.
🎥 | GOAL!
What a header by Pádraig Amond!
Waterford lead St. Pat's 1-0. #LOITV | #WATPAT pic.twitter.com/yOsCCj3SQ8— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) March 4, 2024
Good morning to everyone except Marcelo Pitaluga
— Conor Keogh (@ConorKeogh8) March 5, 2024
Jon Daly backs his man
The 21-year-old isn't the only player struggling for the FAI Cup holders at the start of the season but fans will want to see a big improvement in his form, or they will soon be calling for Jon Daly to take him out of the team.
For his part, Daly backed his new goalkeeper after the President's Cup performance, saying that he had "no doubts" over the youngster's talents following the difficult debut.
Pitaluga's struggles are coinciding with Caoimhin Kelleher's strong run of form in the Liverpool starting XI, as the Corkman further stakes his claim as a potential long-term replacement for Alisson Becker.
Kelleher's performances will be noted by the manager who takes over from Jurgen Klopp, but Pitaluga will be hoping that whoever that is, won't be paying too much attention to the early part of the League of Ireland season.
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