Andoni Iraola chose to change things up at right-back after questions over Jeremie Frimpong's performances in Liverpool's opening games, with Ronald Araujo getting the nod against Ipswich
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool arrives at the stadium before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool FC at Portman Road on September 04, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Jeremie Frimpong was dropped for Liverpool's win at Ipswich(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has expressed his faith in Jeremie Frimpong despite dropping the Dutchman against Ipswich on Friday.
Frimpong made way for summer signing Ronald Araujo, who made his first start for the Reds since arriving on loan from Barcelona. The Uruguay international produced a solid performance as Liverpool picked up its first win and first clean sheet of the season at Portman Road.
Having started the first two games of the campaign against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, Frimpong was not called upon at all from the bench, with questions having been raised about his performances at right-back during the opening couple of weeks.
With Conor Bradley out injured, Liverpool went into the new season with Frimpong as its starter on right flank, but shaky defensive performances led to supporters calling for the club to bolster its options in that position during the transfer window.
Liverpool wouldn’t heed that call, but Iraola still saw fit to change things up as he looked to notch his first win in charge. Speaking to Sky Sports after Friday’s game though, the Spaniard insisted the decision to give Araujo the nod over Frimpong came down to the Reds’ opponents.
“[Milos] Kerkez had a difficult game against [Abdul] Fatawu but he was very aggressive and I liked his game,” Iraola said.
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“With Ronald, the thinking was about Fatawu swinging crosses into the box and Ipswich puts a lot of balls in.
“Those crosses and second balls, and also set pieces, I felt that Ronald could help us. He was very important.
“We will need Jeremie Frimpong when we need to be more offensive and others we will need Ronald. We will take that decision according to the game.”
Araujo certainly did his job, with the 27-year-old winning all six of his aerial duels, while also providing the joint-most clearances against Ipswich (as per OptaJoe).
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Ronald Araujo of Liverpool is challenged by Daizen Maeda of Ipswich Town during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool FC at Portman Road on September 04, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo impressed on his first start for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
It remains to be seen which way Iraola will go as Liverpool kicks off its Champions League campaign at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, but Araujo has certainly done his chances of keeping Frimpong out of the side no harm.
Liverpool.com says: Something needed to change in the defense following those first two games, regardless of the opponent, and it was clear it needed to be on at least one of the flanks.
Frimpong still hasn’t really convinced in a red shirt, and based on his performance on Friday, Araujo should be the frontrunner to start against Atletico.
That decision might become even easier once Joe Gomez is back fit and can offer another option at center-back, or even come into consideration on the right. Frimpong has a lot of work to do.