Liverpool have hit a rough patch in their title-defending campaign and, on Saturday, tallied up their third consecutive defeat.
The Reds started the season strongly despite concerns over their performances, often finding match-winning opportunities in the latter stages of games.
However, it seems their last-minute luck has finally run out, and they are now struggling to dominate opponents both in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Arne Slot etched his name into the club’s rich history with a Premier League title in his debut season, but with so many changes over the summer, his squad seems to be in a transitional period.
Luckily, there is still plenty of time to get back on track, and supporters will be hoping that the upcoming international break offers the players a chance to reset, refresh, and return fighting in two weeks’ time.
Liverpool had a huge summer in the transfer window, spending around £450m on new additions, but they did not add depth to their centre-back options.
Club captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté have been the first-choice partnership for some time now, but with the skipper entering the latter stages of his career and the Frenchman in the final year of his contract, there is clearly an opportunity to strengthen for the future.
On Deadline Day, the Premier League champions were working on a deal to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, but the move fell through when the South London club pulled out.
It is widely reported that Liverpool will return for their target in January, when he will be in the last six months of his contract at Selhurst Park, but new reports have revealed he is not the only defender they have their eye on.
According to popular Spanish news outlet SPORT, Liverpool are among several clubs interested in signing Barcelona star Ronald Araújo.
The publication claims the Reds made contact over the summer to explore his availability after the La Liga giants dropped his release clause to £52m.
Juventus, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also named as interested parties; however, the defender is keen to remain at Barcelona to see out his contract until 2031.
Should Liverpool sign Ronald Araújo?
There is no doubt that Liverpool desperately need to evaluate the future of their defence at the earliest opportunity, with the January transfer window offering the potential to add depth.
It is unclear whether Konaté will remain at Anfield beyond this season, as reports suggest he is rejecting Liverpool’s offers to extend and that Real Madrid are keen to sign him on a free transfer next summer.
The Reds will not want a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation earlier this year, so they will need to be prepared to replace him with quality and add crucial depth to their defensive reinforcements going forward.
Despite Araújo’s desire to stay at Barcelona, an opportunity to sign him in 2026 would be huge for the Merseyside giants as they look to future-proof their squad.
The 26-year-old – once hailed as “spectacular” by former coach Xavi – boasts strengths in passing, aerial duels and tackling.
According to FBREF, Araújo ranks in the top 12% of his peers across the top five European leagues for aerial duels won, pass completion and non-penalty goals, placing him alongside the likes of Arsenal’s Gabriel and Monaco’s Eric Dier.
The Uruguay international would be a great addition to Liverpool’s defence, but convincing him to move on from Barcelona may be difficult at present given his commitment to the club.
That said, it will be interesting to see whether Liverpool will reinvest in their centre-back options in January and what that will mean for Konaté’s future.
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