Why Ronald Araújo's arrival continues Liverpool’s wild Uruguayan legacy

Liverpool have confirmed their fourth signing of the summer. Following the arrivals of youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe, as well as Jérémy Jacquet and Víctor Muñoz, a new defender is on his way to Anfield. Ronald Araújo has joined the Reds on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with a €55 million option to buy next summer.

There is plenty of uncertainty around whether or not the 27 year old will prove to be a shrewd addition to Andoni Iraola's squad. However, one thing is certain, Araújo will become the fourth Uruguayan to represent Liverpool and, in some cases, he has big shoes to fill.

Sebastián Coates

Sebastián Coates was not the best player Liverpool have ever had, but he scored one of the best goals in the club's illustrious history. Coates joined as a 20 year old from Uruguayan giants Nacional for £7 million, making only 12 Premier League appearances for the Reds, before being loaned and subsequently sold to Sunderland.

The centre-back made little impression at Anfield, but will always have that goal at Loftus Road. In March 2012, Coates broke the deadlock in West London against Queens Park Rangers. The ball bounced around the penalty area, before being cleared off the line, with the defender then lashing home one of the most outrageous overhead scissor kicks you are ever likely to see.

The fact it was scored in front of a stand jam-packed full of Liverpool fans makes the goal even better. Dirk Kuyt fired Kenny Dalglish's team 2-0 in front soon after but, because this was Liverpool in the early-2010s, they were inexplicably beaten 3-2 in the last minute by QPR. Fair to say, Araújo will be hoping for a more distinguished Liverpool career than Coates.

Luis Suárez

On the flip side, Luis Suárez is arguably the greatest Uruguayan player of the modern era, and one of the best strikers Kopites have seen too. In 133 appearances, he scored a more than impressive 82 goals, including 31 in the 2013/14 Premier League season, as Brendan Rodgers' side very nearly won the title. During his time on Merseyside, Suárez was the best centre-forward on the planet, it is just a shame one could not say that about very many of his team mates.

Well, if Araújo leaves Liverpool as beloved a figure as Suárez, he'll prove to be an incredible signing. The pair have played 13 times together, three for Barcelona and ten for the national team, and given Suárez's legendary status, Araújo will be delighted to follow in his footsteps.

Darwin Núñez

Darwin Núñez remains one of the most expensive signings in Liverpool history, although he certainly did not live up to the hype nor the price tag. When he arrived from Benfica for £64 million, a fee that could've risen to £85 million, the debate was would Núñez or Erling Braut Håland score more goals in the Premier League? After the FA Community Shield, in which the Uruguayan scored and the new Manchester City man missed an open goal, it appeared as though Liverpool had got the better deal.

However, that zeitgeist quickly disappeared when, on his home league debut, Núñez was sent off for head butting Joachim Andersen during a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. In the end, he would score 40 goals in 143 appearances for the Reds, sold to Al-Hilal for £46 million a year ago, currently seeking to escape his nightmare spell in Saudi Arabia.

Araújo and Núñez are current international team mates, having represented la Celeste 18 times alongside one-anther. So now, which of his three compatriots will Araújo match on Merseyside? Will he disappear without much of a trace like Coates, underwhelm and be moved on like Núñez or become a bona fide club legend like Suárez? Only time will tell.

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