BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 20, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araújo during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 20, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araújo during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ronald Araujo’s impact on Liverpool’s defence has been brilliantly outlined by a surprising statistic that summarises the Reds’ improved solidity.
As Andoni Iraola will be quick to tell us on several occasions over the coming years, his team is a defensive unit and the work isn’t left to individuals.
However, it doesn’t half help when you’ve got some in-form defenders.
Araujo was seen as a utility man when signed on loan from Barcelona, but after five starts in a row, he has become one of the first names on the team sheet.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araujo celebrates after his side's scored their second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araujo celebrates after his side's scored their second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In fact, Liverpool are yet to concede a goal in the Premier League with Araujo on the pitch.
Having come off the bench in the opening two matches of the season, the 27-year-old started each of the subsequent three league games, with his Premier League minutes totalling 285 so far.
The shutouts against Ipswich, Fulham and Bournemouth meant Liverpool kept three consecutive league clean sheets for the first time since September 2024.
Of course, Araujo wasn’t solely responsible, but as a natural centre-half playing at right-back, he has added extra solidity alongside Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk.
In those first two games of the campaign, when Jeremie Frimpong played right-back, Liverpool had an average expected goals against (xGA) figure of 1.94, according to FotMob.
Since Araujo started playing right-back, Liverpool’s xGA has dropped dramatically to 0.75 xGA per 90 – the lowest in the division.
While this is a relatively small sample size, it is very obvious that Araujo’s presence is improving Iraola’s side at the back.
Against Bournemouth, the 6’3″ Uruguayan won six of his seven aerial duels and three of his four ground duels.
Araujo isn’t at his most potent in attack, but he still does his best to support his forwards. At Dean Court, only Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo covered more ground than him (9.9km) for Liverpool.
Andoni Iraola sees the defence improving “as a unit”
Iraola is impressed with how Liverpool’s defence is developing, particularly given two of the regular back four are new to the squad.
The manager said: “I think the more time – especially the defenders – they play together, I think it becomes more solid as a unit in the defensive line.
“I think Jeremy (Jacquet) and Virgil, with the help now of Ronald and Milos, are getting the connections.
“I think it’s becoming more solid and in the moments that you need to defend the result or they are putting you under pressure.
“I think we are looking solid.”
If Liverpool can’t win by playing brilliant attacking football, then the key to picking up points will be keeping this backline together.
Football – FA Premier League – AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool FC
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 20, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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