Ronald Araujo will be a Liverpool player this season as the Reds secured a loan deal for the Barcelona center-back in a surprise move this weekend.
According to the latest reports, Araujo decided to accept Liverpool’s proposal after a conversation with Hansi Flick, who informed the Uruguayan he would have a minor role in the Barça team this season.
The coach addressed Araujo’s exit in a press conference after Barça’s triangular tournament in Italy on Saturday.
“He is a very good person and an exceptional
player, but our style of play is slightly different. He is a footballer with great speed and power, and he is good with the ball at his feet, too. I wanted to get him involved; I think he is eager to try new things, and I believe he has also been affected by what happened in the past.
“I said goodbye to him this morning and saw that he was happy. Liverpool is a great club, and I wish him the best. You have to accept it.”
Flick’s response makes it very clear that he doesn’t see Araujo as a great fit in his system, and that a parting of the ways for at least one season was probably best for all involved.
Araujo goes to a big club in a league that suits him perfectly, and perhaps a change of scenery will help clear his mind after struggling with the pressure of playing for Barça so often in the last couple of years.
Liverpool have included a €55 million buy option for next summer, so we may have already seen the last of Araujo in a Barça shirt. Time will tell.
