EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Manchester City captain Richard Dunne reckons Liverpool's moves to land Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet were smart acquisitions after seeing the pair in Premier League action
Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet
Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet have both been singled out for praise by former Premier League defender Richard Dunne(Image: Getty Images)
Former Premier League defender Richard Dunne reckons Liverpool's acquisitions of Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet have been smart transfer moves by the Reds after seeing the pair in action.
While Liverpool knew Jacquet would be arriving on Merseyside this summer after agreeing a deal with Rennes earlier this year to sign the promising French defender, the signing of Araujo was a surprising one. Arriving at Anfield on a season-long loan from Barcelona, Liverpool has the option to sign Araujo permanently for a fee of around $63 million (£47 million).
The Uruguayan defender can cover right back too, and was once thought of as one of the best center-backs in Europe before falling down the pecking order at Barcelona. Since arriving at Anfield, Araujo has made six appearances across all competitions and has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to some commanding displays.
Meanwhile, fans have also been impressed by Jacquet. The 21-year-old has started every single Premier League game so far for the Reds since joining Liverpool from Rennes, making six appearances in total in all competitions.
In Dunne's eyes, the signings of both Jacquet and Araujo have been good ones, with the former Manchester City captain of the opinion that the former will only get better and better, while the latter, if he avoids making mistakes — like he did at Barcelona in recent years — will also be a "great signing."
Speaking to Liverpool.com, via OLBG, Dunne said, "Both of them are good players, yes. Jacquet certainly looks like someone who’s just going to get better and better.
Emersonn of Ipswich Town is put under pressure from Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool FC at Portman Road on September 04, 2026 in Ipswich, England.
Araujo and Jacquet have impressed since arriving on Merseyside(Image: Getty Images)
"Araujo is someone we’ve watched with Barcelona over the years, and he can be a ten out of ten performer or he can make mistakes.
"At the moment Liverpool are getting the good side of him, so if they can keep him consistent, he’s another great signing."
Dunne isn't the only former Premier League defender to have been impressed by Araujo's start to life on Merseyside. Recently, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher admitted he believes the 27-year-old has all the makings of a cult hero, adding Reds supporters have already "fallen in love with him straight away."
Carlos Tevez is tackled by Richard Dunne
Richard Dunne believes Jeremy Jacquet and Richard Dunne have been good signings for the Reds(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking recently on talkSPORT, Carragher said: "Liverpool have had an issue at right-back.
"That was the point in bringing him [Araujo] in. He wasn’t just brought in at center-back; it was to do a job at right-back.
"He’s almost, in two games, really, he’s become a cult hero. The fans have absolutely fallen in love with him straight away."
He continued, "Sometimes you have players like that, you know, they’ve come, they’ve got a bit of a backstory, at Barcelona maybe they were happy to see him go, but the Liverpool supporters opened their arms and gave him a big cuddle, and he seems to be enjoying it."