Liverpool are considering keeping Ronald Araujo permanently after his loan following a brilliant start to life at Anfield, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Reds signed him on loan from Barcelona, and the Uruguayan has impressed at centre-back and as a makeshift right-back.
Liverpool and Iraola are very pleased. Speculation points to a possible extension, and his deal includes a non-mandatory purchase option of €55 million.
Araujo joined Liverpool for a more prominent role and seems to be getting his wish. Before the extended international break, the Reds were finding their groove.
The Merseyside club had kept three successive clean sheets, and Araujo started every single one of those games, impressing alongside Virgil Van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet.
The 27-year-old has won 72 percent of his aerial and 57% of his ground duels, while showing reliable distribution and surprisingly solid attacking instincts.
Araujo has been an inspired pick-up for Liverpool, but any talks of the Reds signing him permanently are quite premature.
Liverpool should resist the temptation to make any early decision on Araujo’s future.
The season is still in its opening weeks, and there is a huge amount of football to be played before they need to decide whether triggering the €55m option is a wise move.
His impressive start has certainly strengthened his case, particularly given his ability to slot into different positions.
However, Liverpool will need to see whether he can maintain those standards over a much longer period.
There is also an obvious concern surrounding his fitness record. Araujo has suffered several injuries during his career.
Liverpool would be unwise to jump the gun before seeing whether he can stay fit and available consistently throughout the campaign.
For now, the sensible approach is to keep monitoring his performances.
If he continues to impress and avoids another spell on the sidelines, the argument for making his loan permanent will naturally become much stronger.