Ronald Araujo has made a quick impression at Liverpool having arrived on loan from Barcelona, filling in at right-back for Andoni Iraola to great success in recent fixtures
Ronald Araujo before Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Ronald Araujo before Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.(Image: Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It appears to have only taken three appearances for Liverpool, but the perception of Ronald Araujo has already changed.
Arriving on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with the option of making the deal permanent next summer for a fee of around $63 million (£47 million), the Uruguayan had a reputation for being a bit rash. Jamie Carragher was among those to have questions about the move, and understandably so. For Barcelona, recently, Araujo had had a fairly mixed time.
So far for Liverpool, though, he has been imperious. Playing right-back ahead of Jeremie Frimpong for Andoni Iraola, he has added stability to the Reds' defense, and looks to have benefited already from a change in environment.
"Liverpool is a big club like Barcelona," Araujo said this week. "You have to give your best and there are high expectations. I am happy, I’m working hard as you can see also on the pitch. I am happy here and hungry for more.
"I'm really happy to be here, because Liverpool is a great club, and I’m really looking forward to continuing to give my all so I can keep contributing to the team."
Slowly, he has been winning over the pundits. "I would say Araujo came on and looked quite impressive," Pat Nevin said after Liverpool drew 2-2 at Newcastle.
Ronald Araujo in Champions League action for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid.
Ronald Araujo in Champions League action for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid.(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
"Very, very powerful and very, very strong. He might be a massive part of the answer."
He was even more impressive when Liverpool won at Ipswich, with Troy Deeney admitting that he might have been wrong.
"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," Deeney said. "But I have to give it to him, he’s been really good for Liverpool and played at right-back in that situation."
Against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Araujo continued that upward trajectory. Solid at the back and even throwing in a backheeled assist for Dominik Szoboszlai, it was his most complete performance yet.
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"I think he’s been very, very good," Iraola said in his post-match press conference. "[He was good] the other day and I would say he’s been even better today.
"I think he’s defending his side really well, and also sometimes, because he’s a center-back, we underrate his offensive side.
"Today, he gives a great assist to Szoboszlai; he's made a couple of very good serves from his position. I'm very happy with him, very happy. He's come with the willingness to show that he belongs at this level, and I hope we can keep him there, because he’s in a lovely place."
When Liverpool hosts Fulham this weekend, Araujo is likely to carry on in the right-back role. If he carries on playing as he has been, there will be no reason to change him.