Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo have shared responsibilities at right-back so far this season and Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has explained why
Andoni Iraola has opened up on the different qualities that Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo offer Liverpool
Andoni Iraola has opened up on the different qualities that Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo offer Liverpool(Image: Getty)
Andoni Iraola has talked up the versatility of having Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo as defensive options for the 2025/26 season.
Iraola has had a mixed start to life at Anfield, with the Spaniard still adapting to his new team. The Reds suffered a 3-0 home defeat last Sunday to Premier League table-toppers Manchester City, a game that saw midfielder Ryan Gravenberch receive his marching orders.
However, Liverpool bounced back in the Champions League, beating Austrian outfit LASK 6-3 away, with Frimpong completing 90 minutes and turning in a standout performance in Central Europe. The Dutch international notched two assists and a goal, and looked comfortable alongside summer arrival Araujo, who also got on the scoresheet.
While Frimpong and Araujo started alongside each other, the pair have often traded places this season.
Five of Araujo’s nine appearances have come at right-back, and manager Iraola has offered insight as to why that’s been the case.
The Reds also haven’t been helped by the injury to Connor Bradley. “I think Jeremie had some very good moments. He got the assist and scored,” Iraola said.
“When we were 6-1 up, you could see he wasn’t as fresh and getting tired. It is difficult to keep the levels up into the last minutes.
Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool FC celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal against LASK
Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool FC celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal against LASK(Image: Getty)
“It was good for him to complete the full 90 minutes. It gives him a good physical condition. It is clear the difference in the team when we play with Jeremie and Ronald.
“The demands we put on the players are completely different. Jeremie helps us more offensively as he can arrive in the final third positions, but that does leave more space behind because you can’t cover everything.
“Ronald is the opposite because he is more comfortable defending as a center-back, but he doesn’t give us the runs in behind, overlaps, or the options that Jeremie does.
“It is about us seeing what we need from the game, but we need to keep them both in a good place so we have those options during games.
Ronald Araujo of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2026/2027 match against LASK
Ronald Araujo of Liverpool FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2026/2027 match against LASK (Image: Getty)
"Until we recover Connor, I am happy to have those options.”
Frimpong has struggled to make a consistent impact at Anfield since joining Liverpool last year. His fragilities were unavoidable in the 3-0 defeat to Man City.
"The less said about Jeremie Frimpong the better, he’s all over the place," LFC legend Jamie Carragher said of Frimpong in a brutal dismissal.