Liverpool were beaten 3-2 by AS Monaco at Anfield on Saturday in their penultimate pre-season friendly of the summer, but their transfer business is progressing.
The Reds went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, while three second-half goals from the visitors saw the game get away from Liverpool after a swathe of second-half substitutions from new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Wirtz, who scored the second goal of the game with a scruffy goal, spoke to Sky Sports after full-time.
The German said he is “happy to be back at Anfield”, but in the background of his interview, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was spotted escorting some VIPs in a hint at the latest transfer activity for the Reds.
Transfer clue hidden in the background of Wirtz’s interview with Sky Sports
While Wirtz was giving his interview to Sky Sports, Hughes walked past with two men, who have been identified as the agents of Giovanni Leoni, who happens to share an agency with new Liverpool loan signing Ronald Araujo.
The agents, Edoardo Crnjar and Giacomo Crnjar, are on Merseyside to complet Araujo’s loan move to Anfield, where he will spend the 2026/27 season with Liverpool after an agreement was reached this week with Barcola.
Richard Hughes walking past with Araujo's agents (who also have Leoni in their agency) https://t.co/0SKqeZl4mj pic.twitter.com/nh84VkoYgW
— ? (@BradleyLFC26) August 9, 2026
Liverpool have agreed to pay Araujo’s £180,000 per week wages to facilitate the loan. The Reds have a contractual option to buy the Uruguayan’s playing rights permanently for a €55m (£47.6m) fee. Unlike the loan deal that kept Harvey Elliott stranded on the bench at Aston Villa last season, it’s an optional clause which Liverpool can trigger at his discretion.
The Athletic‘s James Pearce reports that Araujo had a medical with Liverpool today, with an announcement being the only remaining formality for the club to complete before the 27-year-old’s year-long move to Anfield is complete.
Araujo’s move to Liverpool increases strength in numbers at the back for the Reds after assistant coach Tommy Elphick was spotted in the USA making up the numbers in training.
While the centre-back is known for being a bit rash, the hope is that playing alongside Virgil van Dijk will instil a hitherto unseen level of composure, but his aggressive play style will actually be perfect for Iraola’s high-pressing system, which requires the back four to play in an exposed high line.
Speaking about the decision to send Araujo on loan to Liverpool, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said: “I think Ronald is a great guy and a fantastic player. “I think our style of play, that we want to play, is a little bit different. He’s a player that has a lot of speed, he’s physical and very strong and also with the ball he’s quite good.
“We couldn’t include him like I wanted and also I think he wants to make something new. You know it more than me because in the past, something has happened, so this affected him.
“I saw him this morning and I said goodbye and I think he was very happy and Liverpool is also a fantastic club. I wish him all the best because he deserves it. He’s a fantastic guy and fantastic player and was a great captain.”