'Versatility and experience' - will Araujo leave Liverpool with decision to make?
- Published
The sight of defender Ronald Araujo in Liverpool's starting line-up is becoming the norm this season.
Since arriving on a season-long loan from Barcelona, Araujo has started eight of Liverpool's 10 games under Andoni Iraola, with six of those appearances coming at right-back and four at centre-back.
With Conor Bradley out since January with a knee injury and Jeremie Frimpong now sidelined until the November international break with a muscle injury, Araujo is seizing the chance to showcase the versatility and experience that attracted Liverpool to him.
At Barca last season, Araujo was granted a leave of absence to prioritise his mental health and the summer move felt like one that suited all parties - even if he was initially seen as a stopgap solution for Liverpool
He took a wage cut and Liverpool have an option to buy him in the summer for £47m.
It is a hefty sum and remains an unlikely outcome, but the understanding for now is that Araujo is just happy to show his qualities to everyone once again.
With Virgil van Dijk, 35, and 29-year-old Joe Gomez's contracts expiring next summer, Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward will have some important decisions to make.
When everyone is fit, Liverpool are well-stocked in the centre-back department and the way 21-year-old Jeremy Jacquet has settled in since moving from Rennes in the summer is proof that if you are good enough, you are old enough.
Alongside Van Dijk, Gomez and Jacquet, 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni will offer another option once fit. Leoni is hoping to return next month from an ACL injury he sustained on his debut in September 2025.
Liverpool also have an option to buy back Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen this summer so are not short of options.
The likes of 18-year-olds Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who is on loan at Levante, and Mor Talla Ndiaye are names for the future too.
Liverpool did not initially plan to bring in Araujo this summer, but given their injury crisis were forced to act and his abilities have largely benefited Iraola this season.
Continue impressing, and both Iraola and Ward may be left with a decision to make.
What do you think will happen with Araujo? Should Liverpool keep him beyond this season?
