Liverpool are on the verge of completing a season-long loan deal for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, with an option to make the move permanent. The news emerged on Saturday, as the Reds look to bolster their defensive options following an injury to Joe Gomez during their first pre-season match in the United States.
Araujo's Barcelona Career
The 27-year-old Uruguay international has made 213 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions, including 23 in the Champions League. His experience at the highest level is seen as a key asset for Liverpool's backline.
Enrique's Tactical Assessment
Ahead of a Champions League quarter-final clash between PSG and Barcelona in the 2023/24 season, PSG boss Luis Enrique gave a candid assessment of Araujo during a staff meeting, which was later shown in a documentary. Enrique said: "Let [Ronald] Araujo come with the ball. When he comes with the ball, when he releases it, we pressure him."
He elaborated to his squad: "Let this gentleman (a magnet on a board) be Araujo, who is a high-level player, no doubt about it. But he is the player with the most problems. Every time the ball gets to Araujo - whether it's a support, a pass and so on - when the ball comes in motion, cover the passing line and go."
PSG went on to win the second leg 4-1, eliminating Barcelona from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
Liverpool's Defensive Options
Once the move is completed, Araujo would join Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni, and Gomez as Liverpool's central defensive options. Van Dijk has yet to feature in pre-season after an extended break following the World Cup with the Netherlands. Leoni is recovering from an ACL injury suffered on his debut last September, while Jacquet is managing a shoulder injury from the start of the year.
