After ready six weeks to make a debut for his newest mortgage membership, Liverpool goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga went on to resolve the tie throughout a penalty shootout.
Pitaluga made the third mortgage transfer of his profession on the finish of the summer season switch window, because the Brazilian made the swap to Scottish aspect Livingston.
However the 21-year-old didn’t arrive as first alternative, as a substitute spending the primary six video games watching on from the bench as Jerome Prior saved his place.
Prior had helped maintain 5 clear sheets in these six video games, with there no must swap goalkeepers, however with Livingston taking up third-tier Inverness within the Scottish Problem Cup on Saturday, there was a possibility to rotate.
That gave Pitaluga his debut, as one among 5 modifications to David Martindale’s aspect from the 0-0 draw with Falkirk 4 days earlier.
After Prior conceded simply as soon as in 9 hours in his run within the crew, nevertheless, Livingston discovered themselves delivery two targets within the first half-hour in opposition to Inverness.
Paul Allen put Inverness 1-0 up within the tenth minute earlier than targets from Stevie Might and Scott Pittman gave the hosts the lead, just for Charlie Gilmour to make it 2-2 quickly after.
It was a shaky begin for Pitaluga, although the teen grew into the sport, together with a formidable double cease through the second half.
Neither aspect was capable of finding a 3rd aim, although, which led to a penalty shootout after 90 minutes at Almondvale.
Inverness went first and the 2 sides had been degree on 4 apiece in an ideal begin, till Robbie Thompson stepped up for the guests.
Thanks in your backing at present, Lions ?? pic.twitter.com/H2afBVBRwt
— Livingston Soccer Membership (@LiviFCOfficial) October 12, 2024
Pitaluga dived the suitable means and denied Thompson from the spot, permitting Stephen Kelly to clinch a 5-4 shootout victory for Livingston.
Duncan Ferguson’s Inverness, who had two ex-Liverpool gamers within the crew in centre-back Remi Savage and winger Luis Longstaff, had been anticipated to lose, but it surely was a constructive consequence for Livingston nonetheless.
A part of that got here resulting from Pitaluga’s prowess on penalties, although it stays to be seen whether or not that shall be sufficient to maintain him within the aspect.
Livingston are subsequent up on Saturday as they journey to Ayr within the Scottish Championship, with the 2 sides separated by two factors as they sit under leaders Falkirk.
The one different Liverpool loanee who noticed home motion over the weekend was Rhys Williams, who performed the complete 90 minutes as Morecambe beat Barrow 1-0 in League One.
