Liverpool schedule talks with 'very strong' star in 2027
Liverpool may have made four signings in the summer but, there are still a lot of areas among their ranks that could do with an upgrade or two.
Indeed, Andoni Iraola's defence and attack have been massively boosted by Liverpool's new arrivals and, even though they're unbeaten across all competitions at the moment, more can come from the Reds.
A couple of seasons ago, they won the Premier League title with ease and, although things have changed quite a lot since then, the main core of Liverpool's squad has stayed the same.
Dominik Szoboszlai was one of the Reds' best players last term and, with Alexander Isak finally remembering how to score goals, things are certainly looking up for Liverpool.
However, since the 2026-27 season is going to be rather long and gruelling, the fact that the club are already trying to figure out what they want to do in 2027 is very reassuring.
And, at the moment, the latest news to emerge from Anfield has made the Reds' gameplan seem more than clear.
Liverpool are going to discuss Ronald Araujo's future with him in January
Of the four players that Liverpool signed this summer, Ronald Araujo is easily one of their most important.
Last term, the Reds massively struggled at right back with Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones both being used there on multiple occasions.
And, even though both of them performed fairly well, it's clear to see that things are a lot better for Liverpool when players of Szoboszlai's importance are used in their natural positions.
So, the fact that Araujo can be used as a centre-back or a right-back is massive.
At the moment, with Conor Bradley out injured and Jeremie Frimpong not performing all that well, the Uruguayan seems to have claimed the right-back spot for his own.
In fact, his performances have been that impressive that fans have already asked the club to sign him permanently.
And, as per a fresh update from TEAMtalk, talks between Araujo and Liverpool look likely to take place in January, after the club have had long enough to assess his progress and whether he's worth the €55 million option to buy that the Reds have.
"Araujo, 27, arrived at Anfield on an initial loan agreement which includes an option worth €55million (£47.2m / $63.8m) to make the transfer permanent, and we understand Liverpool have been delighted with his start to life on Merseyside," they wrote.
"Araujo has also settled quickly into English football and life away from Barcelona, with those around the player increasingly positive about how the move has developed.
"Liverpool, though, are in no rush to make a decision on his long-term future.
"Sources confirm the club have plans to hold talks with Araujo in the New Year to discuss his situation and understand how he feels about potentially remaining at Anfield."
Ronald Araujo could very easily become Liverpool's new first-choice right-back
At the moment, it feels impossible for Araujo to be forced out of his position as Liverpool's right-back.
However, when Bradley eventually returns from injury, that'll be the biggest test that he'll face.
If the Uruguayan keeps in this run of form for the rest of the season, he'd easily be worth the €55 million (£47.2 million) buy-clause but, since he's 27 years old and has a bit of a dodgy injury history, it does feel like a lot of money to spend on him right now.
Admittedly, without Araujo in their past couple of games, it's unclear how Liverpool would have done but, with the impact he's had, it feels like things would've gone much worse for the Anfield outfit than they have.
It's also still very early in the season so, obviously, anything can happen between now and January.
But, if things stay as they are now, Liverpool would clearly be silly to allow the "very strong" defender to return to Barcelona, especially if they don't have a new right-back lined up.
