Ronald Araujo says permanent Liverpool move is 'very early' to discuss

Araujo says permanent Liverpool move is 'very early' to discuss

Ronald Araujo says it is still too early to discuss whether his loan move from Barcelona to Liverpool will become permanent at the end of the campaign.

Having impressed early on in his loan spell, the Uruguay defender has been tipped to make his move to Merseyside permanent. Araujo joined the Reds on a season-long deal in August, when they were enduring an injury crisis in defence with Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Jeremy Jacquet all out.

Settled in a defensive role

Jacquet has since recovered to make an excellent start to his Liverpool career, partnering Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, while Araujo has mostly featured at right-back. No player has made more appearances for Liverpool this season than Araujo, with 10 in all competitions, level with Jacquet and Alexis Mac Allister. Eight of those appearances have been starts, and he has contributed to two clean sheets.

With Jeremie Frimpong suffering an injury during Saturday's 2-1 win at Brentford, his place in the team looks secure for now. Araujo has also contested more aerial duels than any other Liverpool player (36, winning 25, joint-most alongside Van Dijk). He has won 35 of his 60 total duels in a Liverpool shirt, with only Jacquet (48), Mac Allister (40) and Milos Kerkez (39) winning more for the club this campaign.

'I'm very happy to be here'

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Villarreal, Araujo acknowledged he is happy at Anfield but does not know what the future holds.

"It's very early to talk about these things," Araujo told reporters. "I'm just trying to enjoy every day, continue to grow and develop every day to have that confidence.

"I'm really happy to be here, my family are also very happy, but it's a bit early to be talking about these things.

"I'm very happy because, since I arrived, I've been welcomed just as another player, not just by the people at the club but by the fans. I am very grateful to them. I want to give back to them by giving everything in training and every match."