Ronald Araujo provides defensive stability for Liverpool in Champions League play
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 7:00 AM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has shifted Ronald Araujo from his customary central defensive role to right-back to address defensive concerns. The tactical change followed early-season performances from Jeremie Frimpong that prompted the coaching staff to seek more defensive solidity. In a recent Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, Araujo contributed an assist for Dominik Szoboszlai to help secure a draw. The player, who joined on a loan deal after an injury to Joe Gomez, has provided a physical presence and an aerial threat to the back line. While the club maintains a £47m option to buy the defender at the end of the season, long-term plans suggest a dedicated right-back signing remains a priority for the upcoming summer window.
- •Ronald Araujo arrived at Liverpool on loan to bolster the defensive depth after Joe Gomez sustained an injury.
- •Andoni Iraola moved the natural centre-back to right-back following poor performances from Jeremie Frimpong.
- •Araujo provided an improvised assist for Dominik Szoboszlai during the recent Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.
- •Liverpool holds a £47m option to purchase the defender permanently at the end of the current season.
- 7:00 AMYahoo Sports — Barcelona loanee earns high praise from current manager after UCL masterclass: ‘This change has helped him a lot’
- 4:18 PMYahoo Sports — 'I am happy here and hungry for more'
- 2:00 PMYahoo Sports — Liverpool have stumbled across a solution to one of Andoni Iraola’s big problems
"Defender Ronald Araujo believes Liverpool are "growing" as a team under Andoni Iraola after they beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Araujo, who is on a season-long loan from Barcelona, started at right-back for the second game in a row and got an assist as the Reds came from 1-0 down to defeat Diego Simeone's side.
"Ronald Araujo is becoming an important figure at Liverpool, with manager Andoni Iraola praising the Barcelona loanee after another impressive performance in a 2–1 Champions League victory over Atlet...
"Ronald Araujo’s impressive start to life at Anfield suggests Liverpool’s new makeshift right-back can bring added steel in defence as well as a surprising threat in attack
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 7:00 AMBarcelona loanee earns high praise from current manager after UCL masterclass: ‘This change has helped him a lot’
Ronald Araujo is becoming an important figure at Liverpool, with manager Andoni Iraola praising the Barcelona loanee after another impressive performance in a 2–1 Champions League victory over Atlet...
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 4:18 PM'I am happy here and hungry for more'
Defender Ronald Araujo believes Liverpool are "growing" as a team under Andoni Iraola after they beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Araujo, who is on a season-long loan from Barcelona, started at right-back for the second game in a row and got an assist as the Reds came from 1-0 down to defeat Diego Simeone's side.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 2:00 PMLiverpool have stumbled across a solution to one of Andoni Iraola’s big problems
Ronald Araujo’s impressive start to life at Anfield suggests Liverpool’s new makeshift right-back can bring added steel in defence as well as a surprising threat in attack
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
Champions League•Oct 31, 2026, 4:30 AMAston Villa to take legal action against Jamie Carragher for ‘unacceptable insults’
Champions League•Oct 30, 2026, 11:59 PMMason Greenwood makes unusual person request to manager Dirk Kuyt
Champions League•Oct 30, 2026, 9:00 PMWill Brian Farinas finally get his first minutes of the season for Barcelona vs Alaves?
Champions League•Oct 30, 2026, 7:03 PMFlick convinced Barcelona will bounce back from successive defeats
Champions League•Oct 30, 2026, 6:00 PMAston Villa Boss Explains His Happiness: Can Emery’s Youth Rebuild Succeed?
Champions League•Oct 30, 2026, 5:20 PMArsenal dealt major transfer blow ahead of the January window
