Ronald Araujo has opened up about his viral sliding head tackle during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, insisting he will always give everything for the team.
The Uruguayan defender threw himself into multiple challenges to protect the clean sheet while the Reds held a two-goal lead. After Jeremy Jacquet blocked Charalampos Kostoulas's close-range effort, Araujo twice slid in to deny Pascal Gross and then Maxim De Cuyper. He eventually won the ball at the third attempt, dispossessing De Cuyper with a sliding challenge using his head, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
Araujo explains the challenge
Reflecting on the incident, Araujo said it was simply a solution in the heat of the moment. "Ultimately, it was just a solution," he said. "I'd thrown myself on the ground and I used my head.
"I'm very passionate and that's how I live football – I've been that way always. I experience football this way and it was just a solution. Whatever I need to do to help the team, I need to be prepared to do it. Given I'd gone to ground and the ball was there, I used my head and got a touch on the ball. It was brilliant but that's part of my job, my style and I'll always give everything."
Form and upcoming challenge
Araujo has impressed since breaking into Liverpool's starting XI at the beginning of September, playing a key role in the Reds' five-game winning run. That streak faces its toughest test yet against reigning Premier League champions Arsenal on Sunday.
The Barcelona loanee expressed full confidence in his team-mates as Liverpool continue to build under head coach Andoni Iraola. "There's no doubt we're in a good moment," he told the club website. "Personally, I'm convinced about the team that we have.
"Perhaps we didn't get the best of starts but, given the team that we have and the work and the philosophy the manager has for us, I was convinced that the team would continue to grow. We're in that development phase and it's great because that means that there is still room for improvement.
"So, we know we can give a lot more and we're working very hard to do that. It's a lovely moment but we have to keep going – we can't be satisfied. Now we have a really big challenge in front of us this weekend against a big rival, but we're playing at home with our fans and we'll give everything to get that victory.
"It's a tough game. We're going to be playing against the Premier League champions, Champions League finalists, a team that has been put together over many years. But we also have our own weapons. It will be fantastic. It's a fantastic challenge and I'm sure that, with hard work and the effort we're going to put in, we can bring joy to our fans."
