Ronald Araujo in action for Liverpool, with Andoni Iraola in a circular inset
Ronald Araujo in action for Liverpool, with Andoni Iraola in a circular inset
The 27-year-old was especially impressive during the 2-0 win against Brighton at Anfield, where he put his body on the line to make crucial goal-saving blocks and tackles.
Having joined on loan from Barcelona during the summer, the versatile defender has established himself as a key player, and has a £47million option to buy in his deal.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool are putting plans in place to keep Araujo at the club with work being done to set up the deal.
While a final decision is unlikely to be made until closer to the end of the season, as they continue to assess his performances, they are leaning towards a permanent deal.
Iraola is believed to have been impressed by Araujo's performances, while his ability to play both at right-back and centre-back has made him a valuable asset at Anfield.
Will Liverpool sign Ronald Araujo permanently?
Football Insider revealed last month that Liverpool would not rush into a decision over Araujo's future, and will continue to assess his performances in Iraola's side.
While that remains the case, and they will keep a close eye on his consistency and reliability, they are already edging towards keeping the defender at the club.
The manager and recruitment staff have been impressed by his displays, and after an outstanding showing against Brighton, he has moved closer to a permanent switch.
"Liverpool will already be working on that deal to sign Araujo on a permanent deal, it's already happening," Brown told Football Insider.
"When you get a player like that on loan and he hits the ground running, the immediate inclination is to make sure you have everything lined up behind the scenes.
"So that's what Liverpool will be doing now, because the manager has liked what he has seen from him so far, especially after that display against Brighton.
"They'll obviously keep a close eye on how he gets on for the rest of the season, and a decision will be made before the summer, but they want to have it lined up already.
"Araujo has been terrific, he's become a very important player for Liverpool, and if he continues to impress as he has been, then he is highly likely to stay permanently."
Which other defenders are on Liverpool's radar?
Araujo is not the only defender on Liverpool's radar as things stand, with plans being put in place to strengthen across the back line ahead of next summer's transfer window.
Speculation about the long-term futures of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez has led to doubts at center-back, while the lack of depth on the right-hand side is a concern.
Football Insider revealed on 26 October that Liverpool have four big-name defenders on their radar and could act either in the January transfer window or next summer.
Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck, Nottingham Forest star Murillo, as well as Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan and Jules Kounde of Barcelona, are high on Liverpool's list.
Their recruitment team are keeping a close eye on all four defenders, as well as other options across Europe, with the position emerging as a priority for Iraola.