Inside story on how Robbie Savage and Macclesfield persuaded Liverpool 'keeper to join

Robbie Savage has lifted the lid on the summer's most astonishing transfer – Macclesfield, from English football's eighth tier, signing a £2million goalkeeper from Liverpool.

Brazilian Marcelo Pitaluga, 19, has joined the Silkmen on a season-long loan in the Northern Northern Premier League Division One West Division One West because he believes it will help him gain experience on his quesst to become the Kop's No.1. As fourth choice at Anfield behind Alisson Becker, Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian, Pitaluga wanted more game time in front of meaningful crowds instead of Under-23 games in deserted echo chambers.

And Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg persuaded him that a season at born-again Macclesfield could prove an inspired move. Silkmen director of football Savage has revealed how the deal was done – and why he hopes more Premier League hot prospects will follow Pitaluga to the Cheshire phoenix club.

The 6ft 3in made his home debut in the Silkmen's pre-season friendly against Crewe on Tuesday night - a game they won 2-1 with a 96th minute winner - and Savage said: “When you strip it down, it's incredible - a team which didn't even exist last year has signed a £2 million player from Liverpool, one of the richest clubs in the world.

“Marcelo was in the Brazil squad who won the Under-17 World Cup two years ago, and he is so highly-rated at Anfield that Jurgen Klopp put him on the bench four times for the first team last season. We would like to thank Liverpool for making it happen, and the bottom line in our deal is that Marcelo will play every week to gain experience.

“Even if he makes the odd mistake, he will be trusted – just as Liverpool are trusting us to look after him. It was vital, absolutely