When he arrived on the penultimate day of the transfer window, there was obviously plenty of excitement about what Bradley Barcola could bring to Liverpool. Meantime, supporters were also eager to see both Jérémy Jacquet and Víctor Muñoz in action; these two youngsters are impressing already. However, could Ronald Araújo prove to be the club's most influential addition of them all?
After Jeremie Frimpong put in chaotic displays against both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, the Uruguayan has started the wins over Ipswich Town and Atlético Madrid at right-back instead. Fair to say, the vast majority of the fanbase have been more impressed with the Barcelona loanee than the Dutchman.
So, is Araújo at right-back something Liverpool supporters should expect to see on a more regular basis? Well, Andoni Iraola was asked about this at his pre-Fulham press conference, and here is what he had to say:
"It's difficult to come in from the bench as a centre-back and... he did a good job, we scored also when he was on the pitch. It gave him probably some confidence and then when he's had the chance to start – also in a position where he has played before but probably is not his main position – he has done very well."Andoni Iraola on Ronald Araújo
As Iraola notes, the 27 year old replaced Jacquet off the bench during the Reds' first two Premier League matches. The pair time sharing the minutes somewhat, given that both had endured disrupted pre-season schedules, even though no head coach ever wants to change their centre-backs mid game.
The most interesting part is when Iraola notes that right-back, where Araújo has started subsequently, is not the Uruguayan's "main position". The statistics do back up this assertion. Across his 213 appearances for Barcelona, Transfermarkt's numbers suggest that around 86% of his appearances came as a central defender, with the rest at full-back.
At international level too, his last 13 outings for la Celeste have all come as a centre-back, most recently representing his nation at right-back against Bolivia in Montevideo almost three years ago. However, that is the position Liverpool desperately need him for.
Conor Bradley is still months away from returning, while Frimpong just isn't defensively aware nor disciplined enough to be trusted at right-back. So, having put in two very solid displays, expect Araújo to be the first-choice right-sided full-back until further notice.
As well as praising his new defender, head coach Iraola also noted the biggest challenges Araújo has faced since arriving on Merseyside.
"I think he has been playing very well... he's used to playing big games. He's used to playing in the Champions League, he's used to fighting for titles, he's used to playing for a big club. For him probably the biggest challenge was first the language, he doesn't speak English, so sometimes the adaptation to a new country is difficult. But I think he has good help also inside in the changing room... this change a little bit mentally has helped him a lot.. he's been a lot of years playing for Barça and I think he needed this kind of change."Andoni Iraola on Ronald Araújo
The language barrier obviously is a major obstacle for Araújo, but luckily for him, there are plenty of Spanish speakers both in the squad and the coaching staff. The mental challenges Iraola alludes to is the fact that, last season, the 27 year old was "granted leave of absence" by Barcelona. He travelled to Tel Aviv where he went on a "spiritual journey", needing to clear his head after mental health issues.
Given this context, it is even more great to see him flourishing at Anfield, so expect Araújo to be in the lineup to take on Fulham on Saturday.
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