**Former Watford striker Troy Deeney admits his opinion of Liverpool defender Ronald Araujo has changed, following a “really good” start to life at Anfield.**
The Uruguayan has become a popular figure immediately after his loan move from Barcelona in the summer, with almost a cult-hero status achieved among Reds supporters.
Araujo was excellent at right-back in Liverpool’s 2-0 win away to Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Friday night, and [Fabrizio Romano](https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/barcelona-liverpool-ronald-araujo-virgil-van-dijk-andoni-iraola) previously made a huge claim about what Virgil van Dijk thinks of him, saying:
_“Iraola asked Van Dijk for his opinion on Araujo. Van Dijk told him that for him, he was the best ball-playing centre-back in the world. And with pace, a real gem. FCB isn’t in the top-10 and considers him useless. The Barca sociomedatic environment unanimously decreed that Araujo is clumsy. Iraola promotes the most possession-based soccer in the Premier and begged for Araujo.”_
Now, writing for [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd947djg1zpo#:~:text=I%27ve%20given%20him%20a%20bit%20of%20stick%20for%20his%20games%20at%20Barcelona%20and%20his%20ability%20to%20not%20defend%20properly%2C%20because%20he%27s%20normally%20the%20one%20who%27s%20really%20aggressive.%20But%20I%20have%20to%20give%20it%20to%20him%2C%20he%27s%20been%20really%20good%20for%20Liverpool%20and%20played%20at%20right%2Dback%20in%20that%20situation.), Deeney selected Araujo in his Premier League team of the week, saying the 27-year-old has proved him wrong after criticising him in the past:
_“I’ve given him a bit of stick for his games at Barcelona and his ability to not defend properly, because he’s normally the one who’s really aggressive. But I have to give it to him, he’s been really good for Liverpool and played at right-back in that situation.”_
**Ronald Araujo has to continue at right-back for Liverpool**
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Araujo has been a big positive for Liverpool so far this season, and while there is an erratic side to his game that could be detrimental at times, he has more than earned his place in the starting lineup.
The Uruguay international made the Reds far more solid in place of Jeremie Frimpong at Ipswich, who offers nowhere near the same level of physicality and defensive quality.
Araujo must continue in his role, even though using him at right-back isn’t ideal, with another start surely coming his way at home to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
He has a passion that Liverpool fans love, giving his all for the shirt, and if he maintains his current good form all season, his loan move may even become permanent.