OUT UNTIL HE POOLS HIS WEIGHT

LIVERPOOL loanee Marcelo Pitaluga has been told to ‘dig in and fight’ for a place in the St Pat’s team.

The Brazilian has made a number of high profile errors since joining the Saints on loan.

And he paid the price on Friday night when manager Jon Daly dropped him for the 1-0 league win over Dundalk in Inchicore. The Lilywhites also axed their keeper, with Nottingham Forest recruit George Shelvey binned in the wake of their 5-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers. But Pitaluga, who was a sub seven of Liverpool’s first-team games this season, now realises he won’t be getting any preferential treatment.

That’s according to Daly who has handed the gloves to Danny Rogers, back in the side for now having lost his No 1 status last year.

And the Saints boss insists it was an easy enough decision to leave Pitaluga (above) out as the 21-year-old has been misfiring.

Daly said: “It’s like any position, if someone isn’t performing, a change is made. Marcelo has found it difficult at the start, but it doesn’t mean he’s not a good goalkeeper.

“He’s had a couple of situations, like in the President’s Cup and last week in Waterford, where I felt he should have done better.

“But Marcelo is a confident boy. He was surprised he was getting left out which I kind of like. That’s my job, I have to make these decisions.

“I felt for the good of the team and himself - it was the right decision. We kept a clean sheet on Friday and Danny looked assured.”

Daly revealed there’s no agreement in place with Liverpool that Pitaluga has to play when available.

He said: “I’m sure Liverpool will understand the situation. If you’re not performing or not playing well, you don’t play regardless of where you’ve come from.

“So that’s one for Marcelo now. He has to dig in and fight, and wait for Danny to give him the jersey back to give him the opportunity.”

As manager it is my job to make these kinds of decisions and tough calls