How Ronald Araujo now feels about joining Liverpool with his two best friends at Anfield revealed
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Ronald Araujo took another step towards becoming a permanent fixture in Liverpool’s starting XI on Wednesday with a superb performance against Atletico Madrid.The on-loan Uruguayan has been a big hit with supporters since arriving from Barcelona in August, and has seamlessly transitioned to life at Liverpool whether at centre-back or right-back.Already, calls are starting that Araujo should be signed on a permanent basis, with the Reds retaining an option to buy the 27-year-old for around £47m. As fans clamour to see him become a Liverpool player in the long-term, The Athletic have outlined how Araujo himself is currently feeling about his move.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images/Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar Araujo feeling ‘energised’ after Liverpool moveIt is safe to say that Barcelona and Araujo had come to a natural parting of the ways this summer, with the defender even having to step away from the pitch for a month last December after struggling with mental health issues.A change is often as good as a break in those kinds of circumstances, and Araujo is proving that again, having looked like the player who became Barcelona’s captain since joining Liverpool.The player himself is feeling positive again too, with The Athletic reporting that people close to Araujo say he has been ‘energised’ by the change of scenery and the chance of a new challenge.He has reportedly started to learn English, hiring a private tutor for home lessons on top of those provided by the club, and has moved into a house close to the AXA Training Centre with his wife and two young daughters.Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Liverpool fans decide if they want Alexis Mac Allister to get a new contract after Atletico Madrid stunner“Liverpool is a big club like Barcelona,” he said after the game on Wednesday. I am happy here and hungry for more.”In terms of how likely a permanent transfer is, The Athletic report that it is ‘far too soon’ for that sort of talk to begin.The contract situations of both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are cited as unknowns which may influence Liverpool’s decision on Araujo, while there is a mention for Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, who will also come into the thinking.If both players return well from their lengthy injuries, Liverpool seemingly may choose to let Araujo return to Barcelona, but if they do not, the inference is that triggering his buy clause may be an option.Liverpool are also reportedly counting on both Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye who are ‘waiting in the wings,’ so they should not be short of defensive cover in 2027/28.