Liverpool
Liverpool’s defensive puzzle after Ronald Araújo’s arrival
Araújo adds options, but Liverpool still face major defensive doubts before the Newcastle opener.
Liverpool’s first preseason under Andoni Iraola has already exposed a familiar issue: the team’s back line remains a concern.
There are some obvious reasons for that. Key personnel have been unavailable, but the defensive problems are not new. Last season under Arne Slot, a lack of depth and quality left Liverpool with one of the loosest defensive records in modern club history.
That is why Iraola has needed help this summer. The departures of Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson increased the pressure, while the loan signing of Ronald Araújo from Barcelona offers a partial solution. Jérémy Jacquet has also joined after a transfer agreed in January.
Even so, doubts remain over the overall standard of the defensive group, and the manager faces difficult decisions before the Premier League opener away at Newcastle United.
The situation on the right side is especially troubling. Conor Bradley is still out for the foreseeable future after the knee injury he suffered last January, and Joe Gomez is once again dealing with fitness problems. That leaves Liverpool with a recurring issue at right back.
Araújo should help, even if his natural role is at centre back. He has played at right back before, and his pace and power make him a viable option if Iraola does not trust the out-of-form Jeremie Frimpong or the underwhelming Calvin Ramsay.
At centre back, though, Araújo may be needed even more. Virgil van Dijk, now 35, played almost every match last season and remains hugely important, although he is not the same defender he once was. Gomez is injured too, while Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from the ACL tear suffered on his debut last September and is unlikely to play meaningful minutes before winter.
That puts pressure on Jacquet, who has his own injury concerns after being out since last February with shoulder and knee problems. He is expected to feature in the final preseason match against Como next weekend, but Iraola will need to handle him carefully.
Left back looks much clearer. Milos Kerkez is first choice after Robertson’s exit, with Kostas Tsimikas providing backup after a disappointing loan at Roma in 2025-26.
There is also no debate over the goalkeeper position. Alisson missed much of 2025-26 through injury, but remains one of the best in the world when fit and is clearly preferred to Giorgi Mamardashvili. Kerkez’s rise and Van Dijk’s leadership give Liverpool some structure, yet the balance of the defence still demands careful management.
Liverpool
Slot explains why club football remains his priority after national team talks
Slot says club football remains his focus after confirming why he rejected talks over the Netherlands role.
Arne Slot has clarified why he stepped away from discussions over the Netherlands men’s national team role, while also underlining that his long-term preference remains club management.
The former Liverpool manager was reported to be among the candidates for the vacancy, but Slot said the process never reached the stage where contract terms were discussed. In a statement published by VI, he dismissed claims that he had withdrawn after extended negotiations.
“Over the past few weeks, and particularly in recent days, various reports have appeared regarding the vacancy with the Netherlands national team, suggesting that I had withdrawn from the process following protracted negotiations, including on salary and the duration of the contract. That speculation is incorrect. We simply never reached that stage in the discussions,” Slot declared in a statement published by VI .
Slot confirmed that contact had taken place after Ronald Koeman’s post-World Cup exit, but he stressed that the nature of international management did not suit him at this point in his career. “At this stage of my career, I’d prefer to be out on the training pitch with my players every day. That’s simply not possible in the same way with a national team,” Slot outlined.
He added that his decision not to continue was based on a clear preference for the demands of the club game. “I have enormous respect for the national team and for the KNVB,” he was keen to add, “and I can only speak positively about the professional manner in which the discussions took place that week. For now, I believe that club soccer still has a lot to offer me.
“It would be a great honor to represent my country as national team manager one day. It just wasn’t the right time for me.”
Slot also revealed that he would only return to club management, rather than move into a national team post, because the day-to-day work with players remains central to how he wants to operate. With no Premier League managerial vacancy currently available for him, that question is not immediate, even if the league’s summer turnover suggests more openings may follow once the season is underway.
Barcelona
Araujo’s Liverpool loan and what it means for both clubs
Liverpool have taken a low-risk loan on Ronald Araújo, with Barcelona also easing wage pressure.
Liverpool have moved quickly to secure Ronald Araújo on loan from Barcelona, a deal that arrives just as the 2026/27 Premier League season edges closer. It gives new Reds manager Andoni Iraola an experienced centre back to work with, while Barcelona are left to reassess their defensive picture and their broader summer planning.
Iraola had made it clear that Liverpool needed reinforcements at the back, especially after Joe Gomez’s injury left the squad without a senior option for much of pre-season. The club could have chased a major permanent signing, but instead have taken a lower-risk route that avoids blocking the progress of Jérémy Jacquet or Giovanni Leoni. Virgil van Dijk remains the automatic starter if fit, Jacquet is expected to play regularly after his own move to Anfield, and Leoni is still viewed as a major part of the future once he returns from injury.
For Liverpool, the appeal is clear. Araújo arrives on loan and can offer either regular starts, dependable cover, or a mix of both. It is a gamble, but one that is easier to justify because of the structure of the deal.
The move also comes at a difficult point in Araújo’s career. He struggled for rhythm under Hansi Flick, was often criticised by supporters for errors and has dealt with fitness problems. His role at Barcelona had diminished badly, with only 11 La Liga starts last season, and the signs pointed to a player no longer central to the club’s plans.
Barcelona, though, gain significant financial relief. Araújo is among their top earners, and removing his salary for at least 12 months helps ease pressure on the wage bill. Reports indicate he has accepted a wage cut to complete the move, while Liverpool cover his full salary.
That flexibility could matter later in the window, particularly with interest in Rodri and Julián Alvarez from Manchester City and Atlético Madrid respectively. If Liverpool get a strong season out of Araújo, the deal could be a success on the pitch as well as off it. If not, he returns to Barcelona with limited damage done.
Liverpool
Araujo recalls Suárez and Núñez messages after Liverpool loan
Araujo reflects on messages from Suárez and Núñez after joining Liverpool on loan.
Ronald Araújo has spoken about the support he received from two Uruguay teammates after completing his loan move to Liverpool, while also reflecting on the club’s connection to Luis Suárez.
In a conversation with club media, Araújo was asked about his memories of Suárez, Liverpool’s first Uruguayan signing. Suárez scored 82 goals in 133 appearances for the club between 2011 and 2014, leaving a clear mark on the side and on supporters who remember that period well.
Araújo said the Premier League was followed closely in Uruguay from an early age and described watching Suárez at Liverpool as part of that experience. He added: “We loved watching the English Premier League and everyone in Uruguay gets up early in the morning to catch the games,” he recalled.
He went on to say: “Of course as a kid I used to watch Luis playing all those fantastic games for Liverpool. We all know what he achieved, the history that he made within this club during his time here. So it’s fantastic. From minute one, I’ve been sort of asked about that kind of comparison since I’ve arrived here.
“I get on really well with him, we’re quite close. Just a few minutes ago I got a good luck message from him saying, ‘all the best, you’ve joined a great club and all the very best for your time here.’”
Darwin Núñez also sent his own public message after Araújo’s move. Núñez, who left Anfield for Al Hilal last summer, wrote: “I wish you the best in this great club, friend,” said Núñez, who left Anfield for Al Hilal last summer.
“I’m deeply glad that you can feel what the affection and support of the fans is like, they are special and they’re going to make you feel it that way, now you’re a red too, from afar always wishing you the best.”
Araújo was then asked what he would say to the supporters, and his response began with appreciation for Núñez’s words: “First of all, before talking about the fans, a big thank you for the message from Darwin,” Araújo said. “He’s a good mate of mine. We’ve known each other and played together since we were kids, basically.”
