Liverpool conceded two goals in each of their first two games of the season. Not only have they not conceded two in a game since, they have only conceded two in total in the last five matches. It is no coincidence that Ronald Araujo has come in for these games.
It is understandable that the arrival of a 27-year-old defender on loan from Barcelona has not brought the same buzz as the £123m man Bradley Barcola. Nor does Araujo engender the same excitement about his potential that has greeted Jeremy Jacquet. But there are signs already that his acquisition late in the summer transfer window could prove significant for Liverpool.
Araujo is helping to solve a problem position. A centre-back by preference, the Uruguayan has brought balance in the right-back role. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Jeremie Frimpong left Liverpool too open in those first two games of the season.
He was removed after Nottingham Forest took the lead midway through the second half at Anfield and has not been seen in Andoni Iraola's Premier League starting line-up since. Araujo does not merely mirror the work of Milos Kerkez on the opposite flank. He gives Liverpool the option of building in a three and has the instincts to sweep across.
His presence makes Iraola's team less vulnerable to the switch of play and from set pieces. Indeed, Araujo has won 15 aerial duels since the Ipswich game - more than twice as many as any other Liverpool player during that time. Look at his defensive action areas so far this season and it is clear that he is contributing inside his own penalty box.
Within the club, he has impressed with the speed of his adjustment. Speak to those close to him and they suggest that Araujo has been struck by the step up in standards even compared to Barcelona but that he is relishing it, invigorated by the opportunity. That should be no surprise because this is a player who always thought about the game and been willing to embrace the challenge.
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