Ronald Araujo put forth another solid performance in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Anfield just days after scoring a key goal in their 4-3 win over Villarreal in the Champions League.
The Uruguayan international made a total of three tackles and eight clearances in the win over Brighton in a performance that was greatly appreciated by the Anfield faithful. His sliding challenge midway through the second half to breakup what could've been a decent chance for the Seagulls was roared as loud as the goals scored by Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak in the first half and every time the towering defender's hustle yielded a clearance or won challenge, it was met with raucous applause.
A man of the match performance was no less than he deserved on a frigid and windy afternoon at Anfield in the midst of storm Boelo that's rocked the northern part of England.
Araujo is well and truly becoming a fan favorite amongst Liverpool supporters and Andoni Iraola has certainly taken notice of just how good he's been.
Liverpool Lining Up A Permanent Transfer?
Araujo joined Liverpool during the summer transfer window on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona with an option to buy for 55 million euros should the reds trigger the buy-on clause at the end of the loan deal. With the way things have been going so far this season, it's looking increasingly likely that Liverpool will certainly consider the permanent buy option.
As per Spanish outlet Marca, the Reds are now seriously considering making Araujo's stay on Merseyside permanent after this season. A center back by trade, the Uruguayan has been making the most of frequently being deployed as a right back by Iraola, which might not have been expected when he completed his loan move from Barca , at least not to the effect that it's been working out thus far.
For what it's worth, £47 million with the way he's been playing so far this season and helping Iraola find defensive stability doesn't exactly seem like too much of an outlandish fee. The 27-year old having a bit of a fall from grace at Camp Nou to what he's doing right now with Anfield shows that there's still a top, top player there.
Iraola, Araujo In Alignment
With Araujo's current status at Liverpool, everyone seems to be on the same page. Iraola is seemingly getting the best out of the defender even though he's most often playing slightly out of position at right back.
"Ronald needed this change and he has arrived with humility; He is an experienced player from a big club, prepared to play in different positions," Iraola said of Araujo, knowing the pedigree the defender brought with him from Barcelona.
In a sense, with the constant criticism and Araujo was facing for mistakes he made while with Barcelona, he's gone from zero to hero in a sense with the way he's quickly won over the Anfield faithful. Everything he's needed to get back to the player he once was, he has at Liverpool and he's been taking it in stride.
"I think here I am finding what I needed, which was to play, to feel important and to show my football. It is too early to talk about these things. I'm getting playing minutes, which is what I want and then we'll see what happens in the future," the Uruguayan defender recently enthused.
Of course, a lot can still happen between now and the end of the season, but if Araujo is able to maintain the level of form he's been exhibiting so far this season, it will be difficult for Liverpool not to seriously consider paying the buy-on clause of 55 million euros to keep him at Anfield long-term.
