Araujo says it is too early to discuss a permanent Liverpool move
The defender says he and his family are happy at Liverpool, but has stopped short of discussing a permanent deal despite a reported £47 million purchase option.
Ronald Araujo said at Anfield on 19 October that it was too early to discuss making his loan move to Liverpool permanent, according to AFP. The defender spoke ahead of Liverpool’s home Champions League match against Villarreal on Tuesday, 20 October, as questions arose about whether the club might keep him beyond his loan spell.
AFP reported that Liverpool have a £47 million option to sign Araujo on a full-time basis. Araujo did not indicate whether that option would be used. ‘It’s very early to talk about these things,’ he said. ‘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.’
How Araujo has settled into Liverpool’s defence
Araujo joined Liverpool on loan from Barcelona, according to the club’s account of the pre-match press conference. Liverpool said he had started eight matches by 19 October and had played both at right-back and in central defence. AFP put his total appearances for the club at 10 and described him as established at right-back, although it reported that he prefers a central role.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said Araujo had been willing to play at right-back when asked and assessed his adaptation positively, the club reported. Araujo described the demands of the move in his own terms: ‘Coming to Liverpool, it’s not easy,’ he said, adding that he had already experienced the responsibility of playing for a major club at Barcelona.
‘I knew it was a new challenge coming to the Premier League but from the first moment I arrived I had no doubts I had to give everything here,’ Araujo said, according to AFP. He added that the pressures of playing for a big side were part of the work he had come to do. His comments describe his approach to the loan; Liverpool’s intentions over the reported purchase option remain unclear.
Liverpool’s next Champions League match
Liverpool host Villarreal on 20 October. AFP reported that Iraola’s side had won its first two matches in the Champions League league phase, against Atletico Madrid and LASK, leaving Liverpool fifth in the standings ahead of the Villarreal fixture. Araujo’s remarks came at the press conference before that match, while he continues to play for the club on loan.
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Sources and context
- Araujo says too soon to talk about permanent Liverpool moveAFP via Yahoo Sports
- 'A player with hunger' - Andoni Iraola assesses Victor Munoz's impact at LiverpoolLiverpool FC
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