Liverpool blindsided supporters when they signed Ronald Araujo from Barcelona earlier this year. The Reds needed cover at centre-back and right-back, ultimately plumping for the Uruguayan.
It wasn’t too long ago that Araujo was linked with the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester United. However, the 27-year-old lost his way at Barcelona. “I now have the continuity I was looking for,” the defender recently admitted. He has spoken candidly about the difficulty of the last 12 months, culminating in not playing a single minute of Uruguay’s doomed World Cup campaign.
A move to Merseyside has provided Araujo with the opportunity for a fresh start, and it’s one he has grabbed with both hands. Araujo didn’t start Liverpool’s opening two league games. Jeremie Frimpong was preferred at right-back as the Reds laboured to respective 2-2 draws with Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, though the on-loan star featured off the bench.
Perfectly balanced, as all things should be
Liverpool, though, lacked balance at the back. Frimpong isn’t the strongest defensively. Then, nor is Milos Kerkez on the opposite flank. The backline was far too exposed, and it ultimately cost the Reds a winning start to life under Andoni Iraola.
Araujo appeared as a substitute in both games and Liverpool didn’t concede a goal during his time on the pitch. They’ve kept three successive clean sheets in the three league matches he has started. Across the 285 minutes of Premier League action Araujo has accumulated, Alisson hasn’t needed to pick the ball out of his net once.
A centre-back by trade, Araujo’s inclusion affords greater resolve at the back. Kerkez can bombard upfield, safe in the knowledge that the defence has shifted across to provide cover for the Hungarian. You won’t see Araujo barrelling forward to join the attack.
The meetings with Ipswich Town and Fulham are cases in point. As the above graphic shows, Araujo (RB) has remained far more defensively disciplined, whereas Kerkez (LB) has the license to utilise the space afforded to him when the left winger cuts inside. On this occasion, the starting widemen - Cody Gakpo at Ipswich and Bradley Barcola at home to Fulham - free up the space for Kerkez to break forward.
Defensive solidity increased significantly
Whereas previously with Frimpong at right-back, it meant Liverpool were too gung-ho, leaving centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet too exposed. With Araujo in the side, there is an extra body willing to sweep across if needed to form a back three when Liverpool get forward.
It means that Araujo ranks well for the relevant defensive metrics that has helped to shore Andoni Iraola’s side up at the back. Indeed, he ranks third for clearances (14) of all Liverpool players in the Premier League this season. He’s won more aerial duels (18) than any other Reds teammate.
Liverpool are no longer as suspect from rapid switches in play now that Araujo is in the fold and has, fortunately, hit the ground running. While a perceived aggressive defender, a side to his game that has previously landed him in hot water, he looks to have curbed the ill-discipline.
Araujo hasn’t committed a foul in his three league starts, yet has won possession eight times in the defensive third, the fifth most of all Liverpool players despite only starting three of five league matches. He’s taken a weakness and turned it into a strength.
'I am really happy'
Even if it is his defensive aspects that have stood out, he’s still exhibited that Barca magic in the final third. Araujo doesn’t get forward often, yet provided a fine assist for Dominik Szoboslai in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. "Sometimes, because he is a centre-back, we underrate his offensive side," Iraola said following the 2-1 home victory.
“I am very happy with him. He has come with a willingness to show he belongs to this level and I hope we can keep him there because he is in a lovely place,” the Reds boss added. Having seemingly lost his way at Spotify Camp Nou, Araujo now looks much more at home on Merseyside.
“I am really happy with this moment,” the Liverpool star said. And a happy Araujo is a dependable Araujo, capable of playing at the level that saw him explode onto the scene back in 2020. Next up, though, he’ll face his toughest date of the season so far.
Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield for Sunday’s blockbuster clash as Enzo Maresca’s side play their first game since being slapped with a guilty verdict over 114 of their 115 charges. There's sure to be a raucous atmosphere in Liverpool this weekend as they look to end City’s 100% start to the Premier League season.
And whether required at centre-back - Jacquet is a doubt for Sunday’s game - or right-back, Araujo’s defensive diligence should prove key as Liverpool seek to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with another three points.
