'Other Factors': Liverpool Face £47M Ronald Araujo Decision With Barcelona

In football, it is often said: "never fall in love with a loan player." Many Liverpool fans will have broken that age-old rule over the last week following Ronald Araujo's superb back-to-back performances at right-back.

Araujo has hugely impressed, against the low expectations of many, to nail down a position in Liverpool's defence. A backheel assist for Dominik Szoboszlai's equaliser against Atletico Madrid last night was the cherry on top of another solid performance after his first start against Ipswich.

Not only is Araujo playing well himself, but his inclusion in the team has coincided with Liverpool's first two wins of the season. His unique profile when playing at right-back has allowed Andoni Iraola to alter the set-up of the side to the benefit of the team as a whole.

James Pearce has written today about Araujo's adaptation to life at Liverpool.

Liverpool decided to sign Araujo in an effort to save resources for other business (namely, the transfer of Bradley Barcola). The Uruguayan's experience and versatility made him a clear choice, and Araujo even took a pay cut to make the loan deal happen.

Since joining Liverpool, Araujo has moved into a house only a short drive away from Liverpool's training ground with his wife and two daughters. Pearce reports that Araujo has also hired an English tutor to take extra lessons at home on top of those he's already having at the club. 

In the dressing room, Araujo is said to have become close with Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz - who both speak Spanish - as well as Alisson Becker, with whom he speaks in Portuguese.

Last week, Araujo sent famous Red Isaac Kearney a signed shirt in the post. The defender had seen Kearney on social media and wanted to do something special for the passionate young fan.

Pearce says that it is "far too soon" to be talking about Liverpool's 47 million pound buy option for Ronald Araujo, and that the decision will be influenced by "other factors" outside of his contributions to the team.

Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, spoke about Araujo on RAC 1 today (the main Catalan-language radio station):

"I love Ronald, I'm very fond of him. I loved to see him doing well yesterday." 

"I want him to succeed. At times, he hasn't been able to perform at his best, but his time at Barca has been spectacular. He has a contract with us, and it's still early days."

Despite winning over the hearts of the fans, the idea that Araujo's Liverpool stay will be made permanent feels unlikely.

Now, it is still early - as Deco himself said - but activating the option looks like it may not be in the interest of either club.

From Liverpool's perspective, you can only assume those "other factors" constitute the reality that 47 million pounds would be a lot to spend on a 28-year-old defender who is ultimately a squad option.

Meanwhile, it would not be beyond reason to suggest that Barcelona would be happy to take back a much-improved, confidence-restored Araujo from Liverpool when his loan expires at the end of the season.

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