Ronald Araujo has wasted absolutely no time giving Liverpool supporters something to talk about.
The Uruguay international made his first Liverpool start at right-back against Ipswich Town and produced a performance that could completely change the conversation surrounding the position.
With Jeremie Frimpong left out of the starting XI, Araujo was deployed on the right side of Liverpool’s defence. It was not necessarily the position many expected him to dominate, but the defender quickly showed that his physicality and defensive intelligence can make him a serious option there. Liverpool went on to secure a 2-0 victory and their first clean sheet of the season.
And Araujo was right in the middle of it.
The 27-year-old was particularly impressive in the duels, winning nine of the 10 challenges he contested. He also produced an important interception to prevent Ipswich from creating a clear scoring opportunity, while his ability to deal with aerial balls gave Liverpool much-needed defensive security.
His numbers tell the story.
Araujo won all six of his aerial duels and three of four ground duels, while also recording seven clearances. He contributed five line-breaking passes and six passes into the final third, showing that his influence was not limited to simply defending.
What made the performance even more interesting was the tactical effect it had on Liverpool.
Rather than constantly bombing forward like a traditional attacking full-back, Araujo frequently tucked inside and helped form a more secure defensive structure. That allowed Liverpool’s other players greater freedom while giving the backline additional strength against counterattacks and aerial threats.
The result?
Liverpool looked considerably more balanced.
Supporters were quick to notice the difference, with some already suggesting that Araujo may have given Iraola an answer to the right-back problem that has been discussed throughout the opening weeks of the campaign.
Of course, one performance does not automatically make Araujo the permanent solution.
He did have a few uncertain moments, particularly when Liverpool were building from the back, and playing as a full-back is clearly different from his natural centre-back role. One player-rating assessment gave him a 7/10, praising his overall performance while noting that he is still adapting to the position.
But considering this was his first start for the club and his first appearance at right-back, the signs are extremely encouraging.
Araujo brought something Liverpool have desperately needed: physical presence, aggression, defensive reliability and the ability to win difficult individual battles.
And while Alexander Isak’s two goals understandably dominated the headlines, Liverpool’s clean sheet may have been just as important.
Araujo has now given Iraola a very interesting selection headache.
The question is no longer whether he can play right-back.
It is whether anyone can convince the manager to take him out of the position after that performance.
