Liverpool may be lining up Alexander Isaac’s explosive slow movements in the ongoing transfer market, but for Arne Slot and Co, further strengthening is not a priority.
After all, despite adding Milos Kerkez and Jeremy Fripon to their ranks, the Reds’ defense looks worse than last season.
Trent Alexander Arnold and Jarrell Quanza both left, Joe Gomez was injured and Eve Conate was able to follow Trent and Real Madrid.
As a result, Slot had to tinker with his backline during the preseason. Wataru End, Ryan Gravenberch and Young Trey Nyoni have played at the centre of defense in recent matches.
They need someone to partner Van Dik as Liverpool dreams of maintaining their Premier League title this season.
Search for a new centre half in Liverpool
At the centre of defense, the Reds have won two major targets this summer.
They first saw Dean Huyssen’s grand admiration from Bournemouth, but they were once again annoyed with Madrid. The Spaniards wanted nothing but the real thing, and he returned to his hometown.
Mark Guehi is another priority target for Liverpool, and according to reports, they will step up their pursuit of Crystal Palace captain after Sunday’s Community Shield.
Valued at £45 million, they will be discussing with the Eagles about signing centre-backs before the September 1 deadline.
But he is not the only defender on the club’s radar. Certainly, according to Soccer Espanna, Barcelona star Ronald Araujo has emerged as an option.
They have revealed that Chelsea, Liverpool and the Spurs have also shown “serious interest” at the 26-year-old. Manchester United is also said to have a “long-term interest” in Barca’s defenders.
How Ronald Araujo compares to Mark Guech
For just £45 million, bringing Guehi to Anfield is a great business. He is 25 years old and is approaching his prime. He has a proven track record in the Premier League and has a palace of captains. He is a natural leader.
There are few cons to sign such a proven player for the rest of the week of the window, including the great prices that are offered. He must have been running quickly across the ground.
But Araujo is a real elite defender and has shown much in recent years to one of the greatest clubs on the land.
The legendary centre-back Karl Spyol describes himself as “one of the best defenders in the world.” Araujo could be a great market opportunity for Liverpool.
He can play in the middle of defense, but he is also capable at right back. After missing the first half of the 2024/25 campaign with a hamstring injury, the defender played 24 times at centre-back and played the lead role in the back as Barcelona reached the Champions League semi-finals.
Unlike Guehi, he plays at a very high level, playing seven times at right back in the last two seasons.
So, what makes him stand out?
Araujo vs Guehi (League only) 2024/25 | ||
|---|---|---|
Stat (per 90 minutes) | Araujo | Guehi |
The pass is complete | 79.3 | 43.3 |
Pass accuracy % | 92% | 84% |
Key Pass | 0.48 | 0.47 |
Progressive Pass | 5.83 | 3.94 |
Progressive Carry | 0.71 | 0.65 |
I tried taking it | 0.12 | 0.44 |
The tackle won | 1.07 | 1.00 |
Intercept | 1.07 | 0.82 |
A duel won | 3.93 | 2.00 |
Statistics via FBREF. | ||
Last year, Araujo has shown that he is an elite defender of many metrics. He ranks at the highest 2% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues, earned over 90 minutes in Europe’s top five leagues.
In the air, he clearly passes ahead of Guehi. His passing success rate of 92% improves Guehi and ensures that Barca Stalwart ranks within 12% of the best centre-backs in Europe for its metrics.
Araujo, an airborne beast, also has the ability to play from behind, making it perfect for the backline of slots.
It is cut from a similar fabric to Virgil van Dyke in terms of his physicality. If Conate departs for the Bernabéu, there are few better alternatives around the continent.
