Steve Nicol Critiques Liverpool’s Loan Move for Ronald Araujo
Steve Nicol has torn into Liverpool’s decision to bring in Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona, branding the deal “desperate” despite the low-risk structure of the transfer.
The Uruguayan defender arrived earlier this week as Liverpool moved to bolster a thin back line, with Andoni Iraola repeatedly stressing the need for more depth, particularly in defense. Araujo can operate at both center-back and right-back, areas where Liverpool have been short, and the club hold an option to make the move permanent next summer for around $63 million (£47 million).
That hasn’t convinced Nicol.
“At the end of the day, this shows you the desperate position Liverpool find themselves in — the fact they are taking him on shows you how desperate they are,” the former Reds defender said on ESPN.
“Ronald Araujo at his best is good. But he has not been at his best for a long, long time. Right now, he can't get a game for anybody.
“I think he came on for a minute in the World Cup for Uruguay, so yeah... forgive me if I'm not overly positive.”
Araujo has slipped down the pecking order at Barcelona after once being viewed as one of the club’s most promising defenders. Last season, a series of high-profile mistakes and a spell on the sidelines accelerated his slide out of the starting XI and opened the door to a move.
For the player, though, the switch to Anfield feels like a lifeline.
“It happened really, really quickly, to be honest with you,” Araujo said after completing the move. “It’s a huge thanks to Liverpool for making that process so quick and for getting in touch and for their interest. I had a conversation with the sporting director and also the coach.
“I had no doubts for a second about coming here. It’s a great club, a great institution and it’s a great opportunity for me to enjoy my football here.
“I can’t wait to get out on the field and start enjoying myself. As I say, that motivation is really there.
“I think it was the ideal move for me at this stage in my career. I think it was a move that was necessary for me to take. As soon as I heard that interest from Liverpool, everything went into action really, really quickly.
“As I say, I’m super-happy to be here and excited to get started. I’m glad about the interest and it was the right move at the right time.”
Liverpool see a flexible defender with something to prove. Nicol sees a gamble that underlines a lack of options. The verdict on who is right will arrive the moment Araujo is thrown into the Premier League fire.
