Araujo injury scare leaves Liverpool defender a doubt for Pochettino’s United debut

Ronald Araujo was reportedly struggling to walk after Uruguay's 2-1 win over Argentina, and neither Liverpool nor Uruguay has commented. The on-loan defender is now an unconfirmed doubt for Liverpool's meeting with Manchester United on 22 November, Mauricio Pochettino's first game in charge.

Ronald Araujo was struggling to walk at the final whistle of Uruguay’s win over Argentina, El Observador reported in its player ratings. The problem followed a well-judged tackle on Julián Álvarez. Neither Liverpool nor Uruguay has commented officially. For now, the on-loan defender remains an unconfirmed doubt for the visit of Manchester United.

The friendly was played on Friday night in Buenos Aires. Araujo had a hand in the opening goal. He won an aerial challenge early in the second half. The move ended in a Balerdi own goal.

Araujo has become Andoni Iraola’s first-choice right-back. Losing him would weaken a squad that is already stretched. Jeremie Frimpong came on at half-time in the league win at Brentford and soon suffered a muscle injury, Liverpool’s official injury list shows. On 19 October, Iraola admitted it would be difficult to have him back before the November break.

Ryan Gravenberch was listed as a doubt for the 8 November game at Crystal Palace with a heel injury. His fitness was being assessed day to day. It depended on how he coped with the pain. Liverpool are also dealing with problems involving Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk.

Any absence for Araujo would add to that list. The fixture is close, and there is little time for clarity.

The game carries extra weight for United. Once their national-team duties end, U.S. Soccer agreed to release Pochettino and his staff. That gives the new head coach only a short run-in before the trip to Liverpool.

He inherits a side in difficulty. United sit 18th with 8 points from 10 games in Sky Sports’ table, which was last updated on 10 November. Their league record reads one win, five draws and four defeats. Small advantages matter for a side in that position.

A weakened Liverpool back line could be one of them. Yet nothing is confirmed. The only account of Araujo’s condition comes from the Uruguayan press, and the extent of any problem is unknown.

Araujo is listed with Liverpool among the defenders in Diego Forlán’s provisional squad for the November international window. Whether he plays again for his country this month will be watched closely on Merseyside and at Old Trafford. Uruguay, under interim coach Forlán, host the Dominican Republic on 17 November at the Campus de Maldonado, about 140 km east of Montevideo.