Ronald Araujo has become an unlikely solution to Liverpool’s right-back problem since joining on loan from Barcelona in August. The Uruguay international, preferred at centre-back by most managers, has impressed Andoni Iraola enough to help the Reds keep three consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since August 2024.
Araujo’s defensive approach has provided stability in a position that plagued Liverpool last season. Conor Bradley’s knee injury, suffered at Arsenal in January, forced the club to cycle through Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones at right-back, with mixed results. Bradley remains unavailable but is viewed as the long-term answer when fit.
Club captain Virgil van Dijk praised Araujo’s adaptation after Liverpool’s win before the international break, noting his intensity despite not being a natural full-back. Barcelona boss Hansi Flick also endorsed the loan, describing Araujo as a fantastic player and leader.
The question now is whether Araujo’s loan can be made permanent. The Echo reports the fee could reach £47 million, though no bid has yet been made. For now, his arrival has given Iraola breathing room while Bradley recovers.
Sources
Written by PremClub News with the help of AI, using only facts from the reports listed on this page. How we rate stories · Editorial policy