Ronald Araujo is set to join Liverpool on a season-long loan from Barcelona, where one of his lows came in a Champions League quarter-final loss against Luis Enrique's Paris Saint-Germain
Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona is in action with Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, on April 16, 2024. (Photo by DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Luis Enrique wasn't surprised by Ronald Araujo's error against Paris Saint-Germain in 2024(Image: DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique once described Ronald Araujo as Barcelona's biggest weakness in a brutal piece of analysis. A clip of Enrique's criticism has resurfaced after Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Araujo, 27, on a season-long loan.
The deal includes an option to buy for €55million (£47m), with the Reds covering his wages in full. Liverpool supporters are keen to get the lowdown on their newest signing, who is set to have a medical on Sunday before linking up with his team-mates.
But they won't be enamoured by listening to what Enrique told his players about Araujo in 2024, especially since PSG have knocked Liverpool out of Europe in each of the last two seasons. The PSG manager was preparing his side to face Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, as they trailed 3-2 on aggregate after losing the home leg.
Firstly, during a staff meeting which was later shown in a documentary about Enrique, he said: "Let Araujo come with the ball. When he comes with the ball, when he releases it, we pressure him."
When it came time to address his squad, the Spaniard explained: "Let this gentleman (a magnet on a board) be Araujo, who is a high-level player, no doubt about it. But he is the player with the most problems. Every time the ball gets to Araujo - whether it's a support, a pass and so on - when the ball comes in motion, cover the passing line and go."
Enrique's game plan looked to be out of the window when Raphinha gave Barcelona the lead on 12 minutes, extending their advantage. But then came the turning point, as Araujo played a misplaced pass after being pressed by Bradley Barcola exactly in the way Enrique had instructed him to.
Scampering back as Barcola raced away, Araujo clumsily fouled the French winger and got himself sent off, paving the way for PSG's comeback. Enrique's team ran out 4-1 winners on the night and progressed to the last four.
The incident has haunted Araujo's career at Barcelona ever since, and he was also culpable for a crucial goal in their Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan in 2025 when Hansi Flick's men were seconds away from going through. The Champions League has been a particular source of frustration for Araujo, who was also sent off against Chelsea last season.
That red card prompted him to take a mental health break which Barcelona granted him, telling Mundo Deportivo: "I'd been dealing with anxiety for a year and a half that turned into depression, and I was playing like that. That doesn't help, because on the field you don't really feel like yourself."
Barcelona faced PSG in the Champions League again last season, and when Enrique's comments were put to Flick, he replied: "What happened in the past is no longer valid; now is different. I have full confidence in all my players. He's incredible and has proven it in recent games. I'm very happy with him."
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Ronald Araujo #4 of FC Barcelona fouls Bradley Barcola #29 of Paris Saint-Germain, for which he recieved a red card, during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola was fouled by Ronald Araujo and it changed the tie(Image: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
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Araujo will hope that his move to Anfield serves as a fresh start. Blessed with pace, strong and boasting a towering 6ft 3in frame which makes him a threat in both boxes, Andoni Iraola likes what he sees from the Uruguay international, who didn't feature at the World Cup due to a calf injury.
His ability to play at right-back should also come in handy for Liverpool, who need cover in the position due to Conor Bradley's injury. Last month, centre-back Joe Gomez suffered an injury, making it a bigger priority to recruit a defender.