Hansi Flick’s reasoning for letting Ronald Araujo leave for Liverpool should not concern Reds fans

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There has been what you could certainly call a mixed reaction to Liverpool’s decision to sign Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo on loan as defensive cover.The Reds have made the surprise move to bring Araujo to Anfield on a season-long loan deal, hoping that the Uruguayan can bounce back from a difficult season at Barca and regain the form which saw him handed the captaincy at Camp Nou.Araujo has been on a steady decline over the last couple of years, but although that will make some Liverpool fans nervous, Barca manager Hansi Flick has now come out to explain his reasoning in letting the centre-back go, and it should actually encourage Reds supporters who are unsure over his arrival. How do you feel about Liverpool signing Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo on loan?

Nobody saw this coming! 🫨 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Pedro Salado Flick claims he wanted to play Araujo moreAs club captain, you would expect that Araujo would have been a big part of Barcelona’s La Liga title win last season. However, having suffered with some mental health issues and taken a month-long break during the winter, he only started 11 matches.Nevertheless, Flick clearly rates the defender, and in quotes from Jijantes FC on Saturday, the German shared some insight into his decision to let him leave for Liverpool.“I think Araujo is a good player and a good person,” he said.“For me, he’s a player with a lot of speed and physicality.

We haven’t been able to include him as much as we would have liked.”READ MORE: Liverpool fans decide who they now want as their centre-back pairing after signing Ronald AraujoAraujo is still good enough to play for a top sideAlthough Flick’s words could easily be read as lip service for a player who is – or has been – an important figure behind the scenes at Barcelona, it also gives an insight into what his qualities are.Speed and physicality are two things Liverpool were absolutely missing all across the pitch last season, and anyone who can bring both of them should be given a chance to shine.Beyond that, Flick’s suggestion that he may have liked to have played Araujo more often is perhaps telling.Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty ImagesAraujo asked to be withdrawn from selection last December, and it is clear that he has had some struggles with his mental health recently.While that could be a concern as he arrives in a new country and different league, it does not downplay his qualities as a player, which Flick clearly sees are there.If Araujo can get his head right – and Liverpool will surely do everything possible to get him into a better mindset – then that will hopefully accentuate the positive aspects of his game.At 27, the Uruguay international should be approaching his peak as a defender. On the evidence of more than 200 appearances for Barcelona, Araujo clearly has what it takes to make it at a top club.