I’ll be honest, I’m really enjoying watching Ronald Araújo play for Liverpool at the moment.
He might not be playing in his natural position, but I’m not sure Liverpool supporters will care too much about that while he continues defending the way he has been.
And now Andoni Iraola has explained exactly why he likes having the Uruguayan in his team.
“He has given us solidity.”
That is the part of Iraola’s assessment that really stands out for me.
Liverpool have looked far more dependable defensively in recent weeks, and Araújo has played a major role in that improvement.
The manager also made it clear that he still sees him primarily as a centre-back, despite using him at right-back.
But rather than complaining about being played out of position, Araújo has simply got on with the job.
And that attitude is something Iraola clearly appreciates.
Iraola admits Araújo is playing out of position
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Manchester City, Iraola explained that he still considers Araújo a centre-back.
“He’s playing out of position because I still think he’s a CB, but he’s doing a very good job, especially defensively. He has given us solidity.”
That is a pretty significant admission.
Liverpool signed Araújo on loan from Barcelona, but his performances at right-back have become increasingly important to the team.
With Jeremie Frimpong struggling to convince and Conor Bradley unavailable, Liverpool needed somebody who could provide greater defensive security.
Araújo has done exactly that.
He might not offer the same attacking threat as a natural full-back, but that is not necessarily what Liverpool need most right now.
Sometimes you have to make sure you can defend before worrying about how spectacularly you can attack.
That has been one of the biggest lessons from Liverpool’s recent performances.
The team is still developing under Iraola, but the defensive improvement has been encouraging.
Three clean sheets tell their own story
Liverpool’s defensive record has improved considerably since Iraola settled on his back four of Araújo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.
The Reds recorded three consecutive Premier League clean sheets, including the hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Iraola has previously explained that the more time his defenders spend playing together, the stronger their understanding becomes.
Araújo has been a major part of that process.
He looks comfortable defending one-on-one, competes physically and gives the centre-backs around him another reliable presence.
And that matters when Liverpool are trying to see out difficult games.
We all know what Araújo can offer physically. He is strong, aggressive and capable of dealing with powerful forwards.
But what I particularly like is that he seems to understand the responsibility of his role.
He doesn’t need to be the star of every game.
He just needs to do his job.
And right now, he is doing it very well.
Iraola loves his attitude
There was another part of the manager’s comments that I thought was particularly telling.
“He gives us more options – playing as a RB, CB, playing wherever the team needs. He is having the right attitude and I love these kind of players.”
That tells you plenty about what Iraola wants from his squad.
He wants players who understand that the team comes first.
Araújo could easily have arrived at Liverpool expecting to play centre-back, his preferred position, and become frustrated when asked to operate at right-back.
Instead, he has embraced the challenge.
And he is giving Liverpool something valuable in return.
Versatility is useful, but versatility combined with genuine defensive quality is even better.
Iraola can use Araújo at right-back when he wants more defensive protection, move him into the middle when necessary, or change the shape of the defence depending on the opposition.
That flexibility could prove particularly important over a long season.
Liverpool will inevitably face injuries, suspensions and periods when certain players need a rest.
Having somebody like Araújo gives the manager another option without necessarily weakening the defence.
What happens when Bradley and Frimpong are available?
This is where things become interesting.
Conor Bradley will want to reclaim his place when he is fit, while Frimpong still has plenty to prove at Liverpool.
But Araújo has made the decision much more complicated for Iraola.
If Liverpool look more secure with Araújo at right-back, the manager has every reason to keep considering him there.
That doesn’t mean Bradley or Frimpong should be written off.
Bradley has already shown what he can offer, while Frimpong’s attacking qualities are obvious. Liverpool still need to work out how best to use those strengths.
But Araújo has demonstrated that the right-back position doesn’t always have to be about getting another attacker forward.
Sometimes it is about having somebody who can defend the space behind the winger, win his duels and help the centre-backs maintain their shape.
Against stronger opponents, that could be particularly important.
And with Manchester City coming to Anfield, I can understand why Iraola values that extra security.
Liverpool need more players like him
The thing I like most about Araújo is that he appears to be making himself useful in whatever way Liverpool need.
He has arrived from Barcelona, adapted to a new environment and accepted a different role.
That is not always easy for an experienced international who has played at the highest level.
But he seems to have embraced it.
Iraola’s praise makes it clear that the manager has noticed.
And I think Liverpool supporters should appreciate it too.
There is still a long way to go this season, and we shouldn’t get carried away after a handful of good performances.
But the defensive improvement is real, and Araújo deserves credit for his contribution.
He might not be a natural right-back, but he is giving Liverpool exactly what they need from that position right now.
The next question is what happens when Bradley returns and Frimpong gets another opportunity.
For now, though, Araújo has earned his place in the conversation.
And if he keeps defending like this, Iraola will have a very difficult decision to make.
Perhaps the best thing about it is that Araújo doesn’t seem particularly bothered about where he plays.
He just wants to help Liverpool.
As far as I’m concerned, that is exactly the sort of attitude we need at Anfield.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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