Andoni Iraola praised Ronald Araujo after the defender played a key role in Liverpool's 2-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Sunday. The result moved the Reds inside the top four.
Alexander Isak scored his sixth goal of the campaign after Pascal Gross turned Florian Wirtz's shot past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to double the advantage. Liverpool defended impressively in the second half to keep the Premier League's highest scorers at bay.
Araujo's contribution to the clean sheet
Araujo, who started at right-back, was central to that shutout as Liverpool secured their fourth clean sheet in eight games. The Reds have conceded just one league goal with 11 men on the pitch since August.
Iraola was delighted with the contribution of the in-form Araujo, who is on a season-long loan from Barcelona with the potential for the move to become permanent for £47m next year.
Iraola's verdict on the defender
"It helps a lot [to have Ronald]," said the Liverpool head coach. "I think we all enjoyed watching Ronald fighting. I think he's very good in the duels."
"Even the first goal, I think he wins two duels in a row, he arrives at the byline and after, it's not an assist, but it's worth an assist. And defensively, I think he's been really, really really good."
Iraola added: "I'm happy for him because I've taken him out in the last two games, because we needed more offensive things, at half-time and he has continued working with no issues and today we needed him more. He has given a very, very good 90 minutes."
Defensive solidity and what comes next
"[We defended well] especially in the second half. Second half obviously we defended lower, we didn't give so much space. It was 50-50 in the first half," Iraola said.
"Both defences were quite high and then there was space in behind both defensive lines. Second half, I think we were more compact."
"But, it's a team that if you see stats and they cross a lot, so you have to do the basics very well, you have to clear the ball very well, you have to block shots very well, block crosses, win second balls. And I think overall our defenders have been good doing the those basics."
Asked whether it was his most significant win at Liverpool, Iraola said: "I don't know [if this is the my most significant win at Liverpool], I think it's a valuable win but I also liked the two Champions League games here. I enjoyed the Atletico Madrid game a lot, and even the other day, the comeback. Today, considering we know the run of games that are coming, I think it's a very valuable win but I hope we can have better ones."
Next up for Liverpool is a Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at home to Chelsea on Wednesday.
