Speaking to the press ahead of Fulham’s visit to Anfield for the afternoon kick-off on Saturday, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola was asked to assess the name many have been discussing from the past two matches: on-loan Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo.
“I think Ronald, as you say, he’s used to playing big games,” Iraola said. “He’s used to playing in the Champions League, he’s used to fighting for titles, he’s used to playing for a big club.
“For him probably the biggest challenge was first the language
– he doesn’t speak English – so sometimes the adaptation to a new country is difficult. But I think he has good help also inside in the changing room. I think this change a little bit mentally has helped him a lot in terms of he’s been a lot of years [playing] for Barça and I think he needed this kind of change.
“Also it helps that performance-wise I think he has been playing very well. The games against Forest, against Newcastle, it’s difficult to come in from the bench as a center-back and he came [in], he did a good job, we scored also when he was on the pitch. [It] gave him probably some confidence and then when he’s had the chance to start – also in a position where he has played before but probably is not his main position – he has done very well.”
Iraola selected Araújo for the last two starts at right back, and the Uruguyan rewarded his new coach’s faith by putting in two strong performances and capping off Wednesday’s win with a clever backheel assist for Liverpool’s opening goal.
It is unclear whether “Big Ron” will be selected in a third straight starting lineup for Liverpool, but the loanee seems to be enjoying himself on Merseyside thus far — even if he doesn’t quite have English yet, let alone Scouse.
