07 Aug 2026 22:39:49
Rumours of Ronald Araujo arriving on loan from Barcelona.
07 Aug 2026 22:55:21
Just read that myself. Nice to see someone coming in to cover.
07 Aug 2026 22:56:13
Another sick note, Gomez. Be delighted, new buddy.
07 Aug 2026 23:04:29
This looks like another Arthur Melo type job, is he actually currently injured?
07 Aug 2026 23:04:57
Fabrizio has confirmed it, and there is an option to buy.
I wonder if the medical on Jacquet is not good, and he needs more time or procedure?
07 Aug 2026 23:07:50
Not happy with that. Full of errors, injury prone, ran off to Israel in the middle of the season,
07 Aug 2026 23:09:24
Leaks officially plugged.
07 Aug 2026 23:09:40
Good player, experienced and can cover both positions of CB and RB. Played 38 times for Barca last season and was even captain, so a little surprised he was able to leave on loan. Rumoured to be on £240,000 per week, so perhaps Barca need to free up salary to make way for Rodri?
07 Aug 2026 23:13:47
Arthur II.
07 Aug 2026 23:14:40
Must be fake, Liverpool can only do one deal at a time, apparently.
07 Aug 2026 23:15:06
Who was our last loan player?
07 Aug 2026 23:15:10
Sick note and a walking red card. Marvellous.
07 Aug 2026 23:20:16
I had the same appreciation, but if you check his appearances he seems to manage 30+ games every season. We have our captain, we have some young Gems at CB.
We didn't need the perfect CB, we needed some help and we've got it. Now, between VVD, Araujo, Jacquet, Leoni, Gomez, we should manage to have two available at all times.
07 Aug 2026 23:20:59
Not sure if there is a buy option. Only say that because he has only recently signed a new 5yr deal with Barcelona.
{Ed078's Note - I believe an option to buy was negotiated
07 Aug 2026 23:24:11
Really don't understand this one. I know we should be positive that a CB is coming in, but he is woeful. Backup? Yes. Starting partner for VVD? God help us.
07 Aug 2026 23:27:13
@KCD, Since Konate decided to leave, there has been constant chatter to bring in an experienced CB. We've brought one in. Let's take a minute to be happy.
07 Aug 2026 23:27:30
Won't happen. Waste of money. Waste of time. Waste of sense. Ignore.
07 Aug 2026 23:34:57
This is the one deal.
07 Aug 2026 23:44:13
Give the chap a chance, ffs.
07 Aug 2026 23:48:28
Viktor, that's quite a positive assessment for you, so I will look forward to this signing lol.
07 Aug 2026 23:59:11
Let's give him a chance and get behind him.
08 Aug 2026 00:00:30
Well that's a surprise. Hope it's more of an inspired risk than an Arthur Melo.
08 Aug 2026 00:03:16
The Uruguayan Joe Gomez.
08 Aug 2026 00:17:57
Wow.. and the negatively is already underway, think some people need to get a grip, whatever the club do won't be good enough.
08 Aug 2026 00:33:09
The negativity and cynicism is very understandable and perfectly reasonable, we’ve been here before with dross like Caulker, Kabak, Davies & Arthur.
It’s almost impressive that we’ve reached the Arthur Melo stage of the transfer window so soon, and we appear to have outdone ourselves here, as he has plenty of red flags and injury issues. It’s a royal flush of problems.
08 Aug 2026 00:37:24
His injury record isn't that bad, and his disciplinary record isn't either. 2 red cards in the league and 2 in the Champions League in the last 6 seasons. He played 30 odd games last season, so he's not made of extremely injury prone like some are making out.
08 Aug 2026 00:56:03
The fact that Barca fans are celebrating him being sent on loan (with an option to buy) says it all.
The gist of what I have read (and seen) is that he's not good on the ball (in Barca's system) and is rash.
He is, however, generally good in duels and likes to get stuck in. Maybe something we need in the backline in the PL.
Interesting to see if he'll start against Newcastle and whether it'll be as a CB or RB.
08 Aug 2026 01:02:16
Vik, I'm sorry mate, but you can't compare those players to signing Barcelona's captain. I'm surprised you did, because as negative as you are, you do seem quite intelligent.
I agree with others, I've read nothing other than how we need defensive cover. Someone who can play RB or CB, and then, when we do, it's the wrong player.
It's so tedious to read.
I like Araujo, he's a very good player and gives us exactly what we need. Short term, experienced cover until the others are back from injury and up to speed.
Just give the lad a chance FFS.
08 Aug 2026 01:04:35
Crikey, why don't we at least give him a chance!?
08 Aug 2026 01:13:55
I think we should have spent £120m on a CB who is cover until Leoni and Jacquet are fit and Gomez is ready to play and Ndukwe is back from his loan. We needed cover.
We have cover in the shape of a very good footballer. The club has acted to bring in cover and it really does warm your heart to see the welcome the lad is getting.
08 Aug 2026 01:52:24
The negativity is off the charts here. Can we give him a chance?
08 Aug 2026 02:23:09
So boring hearing the negativity from the usual suspects. It's pathetic tbh.
08 Aug 2026 02:43:54
Liverpool has a horrendous record of signing loan players. The last good one was Nicholas Anelka.
Araujo is basically the Uruguayan Jamie Carragher. Good stamina, strong, zero football brain at all, and horrific passer. Not sure he's the right choice for a league where he'll get little time on the ball and be pressed high a lot, but let's see how it works out.
08 Aug 2026 03:04:08
West Derby, how in the world is my post "not" enjoying it? Yikes.
08 Aug 2026 03:30:41
I never thought we'd go for a loan, but hey, if it's what suits, we needed a cb, we have one.
Everyone literally said we just needed cover. Now we sign cover, we expect the next virg to be bought.
Talk of Barcola blocking Rios' path. But need a cb to block Jacquet and Leoni.
08 Aug 2026 03:34:42
Last 6 seasons, Araujoo's had 27 total injuries, 4.5 average injuries per season, 96.5 days missed on avg per season.
According to a UEFA study, over the same period, the average player has 12 total injuries, 2 on avg per season and 37 days missed on avg per season.
Interestingly enough, Joe Gomez over the same period has had 16 total injuries, 2.7 avg per season and 97 days missed on avg per season.
To those gaslighting the critics for being too negative, firstly, the stats are there for all to see, the criticism is of the club, not the player, and it's well and truly warranted.
On the claims of some being "unwelcoming", don't worry, Araujo's not on here reading the comments, he'll be welcomed at Anfield to great applause, he'll be supported with every step and his name will be sung by Liverpool fans all around the world.
08 Aug 2026 03:36:52
@kloppdog, we needed cover, and a loan was the best move, but this was the wrong choice of loan.
We signed a player who already struggled in a high line, who needs a season to adapt to a much faster, more aggressive league in which he'll again be asked to play in a high line in a new country, speaking a new language with a new culture in a country where foreigners often struggle to adapt.
Right idea, wrong execution really.
08 Aug 2026 04:57:49
Ffs, we need cover as we have players injured. Makes perfect sense to get a loan in. Let's give the fella a chance.
08 Aug 2026 04:58:07
The only worry I have is his injury record. He had 38 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions. If he contributes that much for Liverpool next season, that should be good enough. And he was out for 7 games because of depression, which he came out of well after getting treatment. Maybe what he needs is change of environment to return back to top form.
Not so long ago he was one of the most valuable defenders in the world, and he became captain last January, and he is only 27. I have never seen him play as RB though, he was used as a right CB in a back three system. So hopefully we are still looking to strengthen that position.
I think he is a smart signing considering the situation.
08 Aug 2026 05:02:11
So everyone happy with this transfer then? ?
08 Aug 2026 05:14:42
Makes sense to go for a loan at this stage, and pay a fee later to replace VVD. Not sure on the player, as I don't watch Barca. Uruguayans are usually good defensively though.
08 Aug 2026 05:44:37
It just smacks of another market opportunity.
I do hate the way Hughes does business.
Nothing ever seems fully planned, and he doesn't take seriously positions of need. He takes the opportunities that come his way.
Thankfully it's a loan. Araujo is an ok player with a horrendous injury record. Can only hope he stays fit to be useful.
08 Aug 2026 05:49:16
Everyone moaning about "give him a chance" blah blah. He will get a chance. The signing highlights the frailties and lack of management at a senior level. Clearly a scattergun signing due to zero prior planning or a lack of willingness to invest. Either way underwhelming and another season of mediocrity approaching. I feel sorry for Iraola.
08 Aug 2026 05:50:56
He is being paid a king's ransom to be 'cover'. He disappeared last season and missed 6 months because of depression.
He is the messiah and our saviour.
What a desperate signing.
On a brighter note. Arsenal are now in for Barcola. Just what PSG were waiting for, someone who will Jerry Maguire.
Watch the panic buys ensue. Still no CM, no RB, no RW.
Just kids and a high proportion of them injury prone or unfit. This is not the class of 1992 and Hansen was right, you don't win anything with kids.
And we are supposed to stop being negative? What is there to be positive about?
08 Aug 2026 06:00:41
Surely he has to be better than Ibou was last season, let's wait and see!
08 Aug 2026 06:06:34
Let's give the lad a chance, get behind him and welcome him to Liverpool.
If it doesn't work out... it's a loan.
Surely we can't just write him off before he's even played a game for us.
07 Aug 2026 23:21:45
Jaydubred, would you ever get a life instead of that constant moaning crap you spew
07 Aug 2026 23:34:13
@ Llanelli Red - care to share your real name? Your extremely close to me if you are living in Llanelli
08 Aug 2026 00:56:45
All the negativity for someone who hasn't had a game yet wow, must be such joy being round so many miserable I mean joyful fans, read the posts be happy thanks the info and the eds moan about results and lack of when the window is shut, new manager probably means later signings chill out its Liverpool fc not the big ev ;)
08 Aug 2026 06:54:32
@Davey and @Frode, among others, How the f*** do you know that there hasn't been due diligence performed by the club?
Just because neither Munoz or Araujo's arrival was bandied about by the experts on social media doesn't mean that the club isn't doing a fit and proper assessment about players they think they can do the job that is required.
You sound like a pair of spoilt four year olds in a lolly shop, not getting what they think they want.
As I've said elsewhere on here, I'm loving that 2 of the 3 players to come in so far in this window haven't had a single peep mentioned by anybody.
It's genuinely funny that in all the reams and reams and reams of stuff written about who we are in for the whole forum, from the most knowledgeable ITK's to yours truly in the IKFA group, have produced, as or grandparents would have said, provided nothing more than tomorrow's fish and chip wrappers.
08 Aug 2026 07:18:33
Because it's a loan signing of a seriously injury prone player for a position of critical need. If you think all the due diligence and planning has gone into this move, fair enough. That's your opinion.
My opinion is this one fell on Hughes' lap, and he took it to concentrate funds elsewhere. I would have preferred more planning into this position, as I saw it as a priority for squad balance and thought we needed a genuine reliable first teamer there.
Not an injury prone player, and, to be honest, only a decent player even when fit.
Your opinion is what it is. My opinion is what it is, and if you bothered to look around or pay attention, you would have seen I was a huge fan of the Munoz deal. So, throwing that into your argument that I'm some spoilt four year old is not factually correct.
Now, if you would kindly let me continue with my adult conversations on here, I'd greatly appreciate it.
{Ed078's Note - everyone needs to calm down a tad
08 Aug 2026 07:03:16
@StE, how much is he being paid and where is it written down? Genuine question.
08 Aug 2026 07:25:53
Nevada - Mascherano was on loan initially.
Kings Ransom - 240k per week is rumoured. Not sure if it's £ or EUR. Either way it's 12-13M. What can you get these days for 13M in terms of first team ready players? We need cover until Leoni & Jacquet are fit and firing.
The only negativity I have is that he's never been tested in the Premier League. Otherwise it's a shrewd signing. It could be good (take up the offer to buy), it could be bad (let him go after 1 season). ?♂️
08 Aug 2026 07:29:22
This signing does smack of desperation to be honest...
Leoni out for the long term, and Jacquet injured for who knows how long, VVD at the end of his career, I don't think a loan is the best option, especially for Araujo.
I don't see him as being a VVD replacement, so can't see what the plan is really.
Like every signing though, hopefully it works out.
Time will tell.
08 Aug 2026 07:29:34
I cannot believe the level of negativity. Last time it was as bad as this, we went on and won the league and all the pre season doubters came up saying "I told you so" as if they'd forgotten their woeful predictions. This chap has played a significant amount of games forgone of the best club sides in world football, I'm sure that offers some pedigree for joining another one.
That's not bad cover at all. There clearly is anticipation and expectation in Jacquet and Leoni and I've seen some pretty decent prospects in the academy too. Time to get behind our team and hopefully you'd have told us so come May!
08 Aug 2026 07:44:40
For one (not forgone).
08 Aug 2026 07:48:30
I am sure if we went back a few years on the forum people will have been wanting Araujo signed as a main centre back signing when he was captain of Barcelona and being compared to Virgil. Hopefully, a move does him some good and he's the aggressive front footed centre back that got a lot of praise under Xavi.
08 Aug 2026 07:49:18
I know the eds encourage any sort of discussions but I think certain people on here are constantly negative and have stopped many people from posting as they get ridiculed to its a rumour site why does it seem certain people will never be happy no matter what Liverpool do
08 Aug 2026 08:16:29
I think the club, obviously, sees JJ as first team starter, and because he's spent a good few months out with a shoulder injury, they are just making sure he's completely fit before putting him in. Leoni is back out on the grass, so hopefully in another few months he'll be fit enough for cup games.
This guy has been brought in to cover! If he's not playing week in week out, then it's less strain. Who knows what he'll bring with a new start.
08 Aug 2026 08:18:26
Liverpool have looked at and been linked to Araujo since 2022, so it doesn't sound like we just threw a dart at a board to see what stuck.
Everyone's got an opinion, and has a right to say what they think. We didn't see this signing coming, but we have him, I hope he does well.
Forget the reported wages, he has been bought in as a versatile option. We all know Leoni and Jacquet are the future pairing, but they are struggling with injuries, a loan deal for Araujo makes sense, giving them time to recover and get settled.
If he settles and does well, he may stay permanently.
He has admitted he struggles with anxiety and depression, fair shout to him. Maybe let's not write him off just yet. Hopefully, this is a new start for him, a new environment.
YNWA
08 Aug 2026 08:21:12
Good signing in all honesty.
Can provide cover at RB and at CB.
Gives us a whole season then to see whether:
Bradley can overcome his injury issues.
Frimpong can play better at RB in AI's system.
Leoni and Jacquet can command a starting position at a young age.
It's another body everyone has been shouting for. It then enables the younger and injured players to have a bit more time.
If it doesn't work out, then he goes back to Barca at the end of the season.
If it does work out, he could be the one to replace VVD.
And the talk about his wages - a lot of time, the selling club contributes towards the wages too. That could be happening this time too?
08 Aug 2026 08:27:18
Welcome to Anfield, Ron Aroujo!
VVD needs a pacey, aggressive cover for him to play his usual Rolls Royce game. Kerkez to back him up on the left, but Ron will cover the centre and snap into tackles (one we have been missing, well, until he gets injured).
Leoni and Jacquet will not be rushed into being perfectly fit and usable. Both will slowly phase the senior CBs out.
If Ron is fit and still hungry, he can replace Frimpong on the right, leaving 3 acceptable and solid backline while Kerkez bombs forward. A capable defense gives confidence for the midfielders and forwards to focus on creating and scoring. I'm chuffed to bits, yes optimistically.
Oh Macca stays and improves his game.
So we only sell:
Jones, Elliott, Gakpo & Endo. HG/Non-HG sorted.
08 Aug 2026 08:33:55
Trouble is those negative (can I call them fans?), let's say Liverpool followers, become positive at the flick of a switch. 3 good games, we are world beaters; 1 bad one, the manager needs sacking.
The biggest contributor to a successful team is the connection of the team - it's a team, not a set of individuals. You need solid, not all individually world beaters, to make a team, and a special ingredient of man motivation and management to make a team.
We don't have a group of incapable players, we have a very strong unit and this loan signing only adds to that, let's hope the manager can add the special ingredient to make them thrive.
I'm all for continuing to be a fan not a mere follower.
08 Aug 2026 08:42:24
I see Liverpool's no d#ckheads policy has been binned - sadly!
I do worry there are a few 'challenging' players in the team now, hope Iraola can keep them in check.
I'd love to see Milner come back as a coach, he'd drive some standards into the team again and could be a good ally for Iraola.
08 Aug 2026 08:53:15
People need to catch themselves on here and wind their necks in. It's a season long loan. He'll not be first choice. It's to let the other lads get up to speed and make sure we have depth.
Minimal risk.
It doesn't matter who we sign, cos our fans are spoilt rotten and will just say "who's next" and complain the whole way through the window.
I'm behind the lad. Hope he does well.
08 Aug 2026 09:16:14
Unfortunately, the true no d***heads policy cannot be enforced across a so called fan base!
In my club, I trust they get it right a lot more than wrong and silence the haters en route!
YNWA.
08 Aug 2026 09:23:38
The guy played 34 times for Barca last season in the League and CL. I don't think that puts him in the same bracket as Melo, Kabak, Davies and Caulker! That's just a daft comparison.
08 Aug 2026 09:31:06
This player was top tier and has been captain of Barca. He is the perfect fit project for Andoni and Virgil. Understated signing who can be a beast. A good, left field signing.
08 Aug 2026 10:08:16
Quite surprised with the negativity.
From what little I see, I think he is not bad, and seems very speedy too.
Anyway, it is what it is. Just hope it works out. Give him a chance. Don't kill him before he even starts with your views and words.
Nobody expected Robertson to work as well as it did, did we? Gini too. Even Matip...
If he is not up to it, well, by all means slam him.
I am still slamming Kerkez, by the way...
08 Aug 2026 10:13:00
So much assgas on this site. I've seen a lot of Barca games as my in-laws are ultras, and Araujo is exactly what Iraola needs. Time off for mental health is brave. He'd a unit, rapid and excellent in duels. Most comments have been stultifyingly ill informed.
08 Aug 2026 11:08:12
Well, if he was depressed living in the beautiful sunny Barcelona, I wonder how he's going to feel living somewhere it rains 50% of the time and averages 5C for half the season.
08 Aug 2026 12:08:25
@Davey, virtually everybody on this site from Whitney 4 year olds in the lolly shop to erudite conversationalist, like yourself has voiced the urgent need for cover for our CBs. The club has brought in a player who has captained one of the powerhouse teams in European football, the lad played 34 games last season in La Liga and the CL and has represented his country. He isn't here to play 60+ games. He is here as cover and to act as a stop gap until the young lads are back from injury. That said, he's no mug and we might all be surprised by what we've got. In the context of the current market prices, he is a very reasonable option coming in on a 1 year loan deal and with an option to buy should things work out.
I honestly don't understand how you think it is a 'desperation' signing with the obvious inference that the club has not performed due diligence, and I think you and others are seeking out ways to be negative without any reason other than the player doesn't happen to be the one you and others on here wanted to see brought in.
Anyway, like you say, it's about opinions and you'd have to say the opinion that matters most in this case is the club's and they would seem to think that your opinion is of little or no value.
08 Aug 2026 13:32:01
He was depressed partly because he felt Real players were treated leniently and he wasn't.
To say he can't handle a high line is absolute nonsense. If you said he's not great on the ball, I'd understand, but Araujo is able to shift, and he's excellent at recovery. A high line is ideal for him.
08 Aug 2026 13:46:28
He has joined now, Wdw, and I've accepted it and wish him the best.
I was giving my honest opinion of the signing. I do have concerns that injuries have caught up with him and concerns that he will get injured again. But I truly hope he can return to form/stay injury free.
And I'm well aware the club put too much value in mine or your opinions individually. Not sure this will be posted but you should hear it.
Your point could be made without your constant little snarky remarks. It's quite annoying. I'm happy to have a friendly debate with anyone. Done so for years here. I enjoy it as part of football. And your opinion is valid but in between is constant annoying little remarks. I have to weed through the superiority nonsense to get to your point. It's not needed.
08 Aug 2026 07:39:42
I was calm Ed78 ? I hope for the best with this one but I'm not the biggest fan of this move. We ll see how it all pans out in the end. And if he fails, we can send him back.
Just would have much preferred mingueza (pior to Palace getting him) if going down this type of route.
But Araujo is the guy I guess. I really do hope he stays fit though. That is a biggest problem with him. And then we ll see what he can do in our system I guess.