08 Aug 2026 10:46:44
Our fanbase needs to humble itself. We just signed the Barcelona captain. I grew up in an era where our CB signings were Kyrgiakos, Coates and Wilson. Araujo is a very talented player, if that there can be no doubt. Rubbish players don't end up captaining Barcelona.
He's had injury and mental health issues, sure. Those mental health issues were allegedly exacerbated by the abuse he received from Barcelona fans after a mistake got them knocked out in the Champions League. He clearly wants a fresh start and he's probably looking at Liverpool (with our reputation of having incredible fans) and thinking he can find somewhere he can belong and be loved.
Please don't let Araujo down, everyone deserves a fresh start. He's very good friends with Darwin Nunez, who probably spoke to him before this transfer and will no doubt have told him about how unconditionally we supported him, even chanting his name when he missed a sitter.
If nothing else, he's a massive upgrade on having to play a midfielder at CB for the opening game!
08 Aug 2026 10:55:32
Mo Scouser, I am with you. He seems a good signing. I think people are just over concerned about him just being another sick note... However, he seems like he could be a clever signing.
I would like a rb and two more forwards and assuming no midfielders leave, I think we will be in a pretty good position.
08 Aug 2026 11:05:06
100% agree, MK. Iraola knows La Liga, his teams would've played against him. No doubt he'd have talked to Bielsa about his character, etc. Like Munoz before, I think Iraola would be heavily involved in picking this player. Wages would be similar to Konate if he'd have renewed his contract.
08 Aug 2026 11:05:07
Captain? Keane at Utd in the 90s? Adams at Arsenal? You're a top poster, MK, but this Barcelona captain tripe is ducking delusional. This will not end well.
08 Aug 2026 11:09:53
MK, were you being tongue in cheek when you said incredible fans?
08 Aug 2026 11:11:58
Great post, MK.
We've seen multiple posts on here that we need defensive cover and skating a lack of activity in getting an experienced, older head in to help the YLFP and the YLFR.
Now that the club have addressed that issue- without spending big on a transfer fee- the player is already getting pelters despite not playing a single minute for us yet.
The mind boggles.
08 Aug 2026 11:15:07
Some of the takes on here have been ridiculous about this signing. He's a really good player. Not perfect, nobodies perfect, but it's the type of signing that will not block Jacquet if/when he is ready.
08 Aug 2026 11:16:29
100% agree. Re: Humble ourselves, mate.
For the past 10ish years, we have all been fortunate enough to support the 2nd most successful team in England (Behind City).
We've won everything, expanded Anfield, built one of the best training facilities in the world, and seen some incredible football, yet for some reason, people still aren't happy.
Maybe if we can find some owners who spend more money than anyone else, hire a manager who has never lost a game in his life, 11 players who all share the Ballon d'Or and Golden Boot between them every season, and go on a winning streak and never lose a game ever again, we might be ok, ha.
God help people who have to support any of the other clubs - poor sods, ha.
08 Aug 2026 11:18:15
Well said MK. ?
08 Aug 2026 11:23:39
I agree, MKS. Personally, I have not seen Araujo play in about 3 years. Before then, I saw him play and he was immense for them, esp. in that 22/23 season when Xavi won them the title. I remember the return El Clasico at Camp Nou where he was the first CB up until then that I had ever seen to not shut down Vini Jnr but to stay step for step in a straight line race for the ball. It was unbelievable to see.
Now that was then. Haven't seen him play since. The mistake? Well, that can happen (we would know, btw), and things can get toxic, and his injury issues will only make the mental issues worse.
For me, this is just a case of the player needed to go to a new environment, and with LFC popping up, Araujo would have had a chat with Suarez and one of his best mates in Darwin.
Also, it is a loan deal, hence there is very low risk. He is very experienced and has won things with Barca, esp. as captain for that matter. He can play the CB/RB role (which is what we all wanted) and other upsides. Yeah, it is a risk, but what signing is a sure thing? None. So I'm here for it and we can move on to other essential targets. Hopefully, the Barcola deal gets thru and we go from there. Excited for the season, regardless.
08 Aug 2026 11:23:56
Mk, hope players never read this site at the moment, as we would sign absolutely no one. Best fans in the world? Really starting to doubt that.
08 Aug 2026 11:27:46
Longest serving Madrid and Barca players get captaincy, my Barca supporting mate tells me?
I'm just happy we got a body in that covers 2 positions if needed.
If he's s****, he be gone, we don't have to buy.
He had plenty of bite in him, our team is full of soft arses, and we need that nasty bite.
I'll back him, hope he proves me wrong.
All non home grown spots are covered now, so who goes or gets unregistered????
08 Aug 2026 11:31:47
Agree with Florian, there's a few on here pushing a little toxic positivity, for want of a better term, acting like we're all going to start booing the chap from day one. And talking like we poached Barca's best, "Barca's Captain." Barca of all teams, where they essentially have 5 captains... 9 people wore the captain's armband for Barca last season, I mean, the system is so backwards that the title has almost lost all meaning, they might as well pull straws before each game to see who gets it.
People's main concern with Araujo is his fitness, which is a completely valid concern, as he's missed almost the exact same amount of days on average over the last 6 years as Joe Gomez, slightly more in fact. If he stays fit, great, if he doesn't, expect a few "I told you so's." But for the love of Fowler, stop acting like he's going to be met with resounding boos on his debut. He will be cheered on just the same, and his name sung from here to Timbuktu.
08 Aug 2026 11:33:18
Florian, same Keane who let his team mates down 13 times via red cards, the same Roy Keane who literally thought he was bigger than his country when he abandoned his team mates and staff at a World Cup, that Roy Keane? Tony Adams, the same Tony Adams who got sent to prison, that Tony Adams?
Give it a rest, mate, the guy hasn't stepped foot in Anfield and you've already written him off. Don't tell me that you have never been crap at a job because of issues outside of your control. Anyone over the age of 40 has been through that.
He clearly is a decent player looking for a fresh start, maybe you could do the same and stop bashing players before they have even kicked a ball. Better still, pick up the phone, give the Liverpool recruitment team a call and offer your services, maybe then the rest of us can bash you before you start as well?
It's ok to express an opinion but to publicly trash him like that is just wrong, mate. Give him some respect, support him and let's see if he can help us out.
08 Aug 2026 11:37:14
I'm just doubting his fitness. The Premier League is tough, and I really don't think we need another player that can't cope with the day in day out pressure of the English game.
08 Aug 2026 11:43:04
Is choosing to support one of the biggest, most successful clubs in the world fortunate?
Anyone who did that with Utd, Chelsea, or City is regarded as glory hunting plastics.
08 Aug 2026 11:46:19
Not sure it's booing from day one as much as it's booing from day -15.
08 Aug 2026 11:48:51
No, I haven't ever been crap at a job because of issues outside my control. It's called real life. You slate Roy Keane to justify Araujo all you like. Maybe I'm a horrible person, but in my opinion Barca have passed their £240k a week problem onto someone else. Hopefully I'm wrong.
08 Aug 2026 12:28:56
Great post Mk, most of your posts I agree with. Usually find myself reading them and agreeing with every word before I've seen it was posted by you! We have 2 of the most promising young centre backs around, so this signing makes perfect sense until they get fully fit.
He's probably 4th choice when everyone is 100% and people are complaining. Most must have forgotten the days we sign far worse players as starters.
08 Aug 2026 12:29:07
Well said, MK. When you reflect like that, you remember how far we've come!
We have VVD. And we have two very good young centre backs - Leoni and Jacquet.
Araujo gives us:
- cover at centre where we really needed it.
- experience to offset the youth of Leoni and Jacquet.
- leadership skills (ex captain).
- no large financial commitment on a transfer fee.
He doesn't need to be a world beater. He improves the squad.
08 Aug 2026 12:29:38
After my initial tirade upon hearing about the Araujo signing and after reading the regular posters and Eds comments I can see both sides of these discussions. The club is in need of top level dependable players in defense like Kounde and Zabyarni who were both mentioned previously as strong options. As a club we don't need to fumble about for mediocrity as we can buy the best. I, and others here just don't think we've done that with Araujo. He might end up being great but people are rightly concerned about his fitness especially coming in to the EPL. The last thing we need is another defender consigned to the physio room for a period of time.
I am aware injury can happen to anyone at any stage but to employ somebody with a dubious fitness record is just starting out the wrong way and we've been here before! I get it that he may be a really decent player and a fresh start as ED01 says may be the making of the man but we didn't need to go down this road. Anyway Now that he is here, I and I'm sure all here, are wanting him to succeed and hopefully he does. IMO it's an underwhelming appointment to say the least and only time will tell if this is the right choice or not. Hopefully I'll be back eating my words.
08 Aug 2026 12:46:09
Well said, Shankly.
08 Aug 2026 12:58:20
Shanjly's, I agree with your sentiments and concerns. Those are normal concerns to have, and even though many people are positive about this signing, I do not write off such concerns cos I think these posters have them, as well. Like I do.
For me, I think people make a choice to either focus on the positives and negatives on any topic. While others can see both sides, understand them, and still remain cautious. That's just perspective. Something you have demonstrated here, and so do others, hence why I agree with your overall view.
For Araujo coming in, it just signals that we simply could not buy the guy we wanted, or they just see it like, "If we're gonna spend all this dough for a CB to come in as an early VVD replacement, this market ain't it. Hence, we get the CB/RB cover we need for this season and go from there." Sometimes it is that simple.
Enjoy your summer, my guy.
At least, we can move on.
08 Aug 2026 15:57:45
You too, Oli. And everyone else too!!!