Araujo says Liverpool move brought the change he needed

“Without a doubt, I needed this change,” Ronald Araujo says of his move to Liverpool. On loan from Barcelona, the defender says he has found what he was looking for: playing time, an important role and the chance to show his football. He says he wants to keep improving this season, while his goals and performances are fuelling the possibility that Liverpool could exercise a purchase option.

Araujo is not ready to discuss what comes next. “It’s very early to talk about these things. I’m getting playing time, which is what I want, and then we’ll see what happens,” he says. He adds that he and his family are happy, and that he wants to give his best while continuing to learn.

Andoni Iraola says the opportunity arose unexpectedly. After an initial conversation he found encouraging, he saw Araujo as an ambitious, experienced player who had played for a top-level club and was ready to prove himself. Araujo says he discussed his decision with the club, Deco and the coach. He says they helped him, and that by the end of the season he was clear a change was necessary.

On the pitch, Araujo scored in Liverpool’s 2-2 match against Villarreal. Rio Ngumoha crossed from the left and Araujo headed home in the area, taking advantage of a lapse by Sergi Cardona in first-half stoppage time. Commentator Alan Shearer praised his willingness to take a risk and the reward it brought.

Araujo has also established himself in the team, with 11 appearances and 692 minutes: seven outings at right-back and four at centre-back. He played on the right while Frimpong and Bradley were injured. Marca also notes that he scored in consecutive Champions League matches for the first time in his career. Commentator Stephen Warnock describes him as an essential, passionate player and a leader. At Anfield, the Barcelona-trained defender appears to have settled quickly.