Spotting Ronald Araujo sipping mate is now a common sight at Liverpool.
Friends close to the 27‑year‑old note that, honoring his Uruguayan roots, he carries the caffeinated mate – brewed by steeping dried leaves in hot water – wherever he travels.
Araujo’s name on Liverpool’s starting XI is now as routine as any veteran’s this campaign.
While fans obsess over marquee signings, this loaned defender is shaping up as a cornerstone – in my view, it may outshine the club’s costly deals.
Since his season‑long loan from Barcelona, he has featured in eight of Liverpool’s ten matches under Andoni Iraola, split between six starts at right‑back and four at centre‑back.
He netted his first Liverpool goal with a header versus LASK last week and later supplied a back‑heel pass that set up Dominik Szoboszlai against Atletico Madrid.
Conor Bradley has been sidelined since January with a knee problem, and Jeremie Frimpong won’t return until the November international break due to a muscle issue; meanwhile, Araujo, now learning English, is proving the versatility and experience that attracted the Reds.
“I came from a big club, just like Liverpool. People here seem more intense on the streets, in the city centre, even when you go out to eat. It’s great – you can feel their passion for football,” Araujo said on Monday.
“I’m really happy here. My family feels the same, which matters a lot. I’m hungry to push through the season, give my best, keep learning and growing. The game time I’m getting is exactly what I wanted, and the future will tell what comes next,” he added.
Last season at Barcelona, Araujo received a leave of absence to focus on his mental health, and the summer move to England proved mutually beneficial, even though he arrived as a supposed stopgap for Liverpool.
The Uruguayan, capped 29 times, accepted a salary reduction, and Liverpool hold an option to purchase him in the summer for £47 million.
That price tag is steep and unlikely, yet for now the consensus is that Araujo simply wants to showcase his abilities again.
“It’s too early to discuss those matters,” he replied when asked about his future.
“I’m just trying to enjoy each day, keep developing, play my part and build confidence. I’m truly glad to be here,” he said. Will Liverpool secure his permanent transfer next summer?