Araujo shines at right-back in Anfield thriller

Ronald Araujo is enjoying life at Liverpool after joining from Barcelona on a season-long loan this summer with a €55 million buy option. The 27-year-old Uruguayan impressed again on Wednesday night in the Champions League, providing a backheel assist in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

The defender was handed his full debut in last Friday’s 2-0 Premier League win at Ipswich Town and has since been deployed at right-back in place of Jeremie Frimpong. With Conor Bradley returning from a long-term knee injury and Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni also missing, Araujo has added solidity and composure to Andoni Iraola’s back line.

The assist that turned the game

Liverpool trailed to Marcos Llorente’s fifth Champions League goal in just three Anfield outings before half-time. With five minutes left in the first half, Florian Wirtz latched on to a rebound and found Araujo making an intelligent run into the penalty box.

Back to goal, Araujo flicked the ball with his left boot into the path of Dominik Szoboszlai, who slotted home to level the scores. The Uruguayan wheeled away in celebration towards the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand as if he had scored himself.

Araujo was full of praise after the game. "It was a very difficult match. We knew they were going to make it very difficult for us. We were compact and played our style of football, and we were able to get the three points," he said.

"It was a nice shot, a good opportunity inside the box. I was lucky it went between the centre backs. I’m very happy and very pleased to be able to help the team."

"It’s a big team like Barça. You have to give your best and there are high expectations. I’m happy and working hard. I’m eager to give my all and be myself."

Still watching Barcelona

Despite his move to Merseyside, Araujo is still following Barcelona closely. "I’m following Barça. They’re flying high. I’m very happy for my teammates," he added. "They have a great team. They’re contenders to win the Champions League. I follow them and I’m very happy about their current form."

At Liverpool, Araujo has quickly settled off the pitch as well. Sources close to the player say he feels energised by the change of scenery after a tough personal season at Barcelona, which included a leave of absence for mental health reasons. He has moved into a house near the training complex with his wife Abigail and their two daughters, hired an English tutor and formed bonds in the dressing room with Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson, with whom he speaks Portuguese.

The defender’s defensive work also impressed, including a 70-yard dash that forced Jan Oblak to clear aimlessly and a crucial block on a cross from Ademola Lookman after Alexis Mac Allister’s strike had put Liverpool 2-1 up early in the second half.

Captain Virgil van Dijk praised his versatility: "Right-back is not his specialist position but he has played there before, and he’s shown everyone how well he can perform that role. It’s vital that we’re a solid unit with the back four and the keeper together."

Araujo received good luck messages from former Liverpool strikers Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez upon his arrival, and last week sent a signed shirt to young fan Isaac Kearney with a "You’ll Never Walk Alone" message.

After years of underwhelming loan spells, Liverpool may finally have a temporary signing capable of making a real difference.