Andoni Iraola sounds like he’s hoping to sign Ronald Araujo permanently for Liverpool
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How should Andoni Iraola now manage Liverpool’s right-back situation moving forward? Ronald Araujo was SUPERB against Ipswich Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC Araujo has become a favourite of IraolaAlthough Liverpool are actively interviewing new potential sporting directors, the fact is that the Reds are currently missing somebody who is employed to make final decisions on questions such as the one of whether or not to sign Araujo.As a result, Iraola has potentially found his own hand strengthened in those debates, and it is clear from his answer on Friday that he absolutely loves having Araujo as an option.“I’m very happy for him, because the first time we talked to him, we knew each other because we played against each other, but not personally, and sometimes you talk to a player and you can feel straight away that everything was positive,” he said.“I think he needed this kind of change, and has come with humility, coming from a big club, experienced player, we need you right-back, right-back, we need you centre-back, centre-back.
If we need him in another position I think he’s ready to do it. READ MORE: Andoni Iraola responds to Jurgen Klopp’s plea over Florian Wirtz at Liverpool“Physically he has probably played more minutes than we expected being so early in the season, but he’s showing that he’s robust.
It’s still early, but he’s finishing the games in a good place, he’s not cramping. “Now I’m pushing him to learn a little bit the language, because a good way for us to use his experience is for him to communicate better with his teammates and to use all the experience that he has, but I suppose it will take some time.”Liverpool should trigger Araujo’s buy optionObviously, there is a reason Liverpool only decided to sign Araujo on loan this summer, and despite the lack of a sporting director, Iraola will not be the only person who decides the way forward here.It could also be that Liverpool have another target in mind for next year, but on current evidence, they would do well to sign them for under £47m.All the signs point to Liverpool needing another centre-back option next summer, regardless of what happens with Virgil van Dijk’s contract situation.