Araujo excited to play alongside role model van Dijk at Liverpool

New loan signing Ronald Araujo will take inspiration from “role model” Virgil van Dijk when he lines up alongside the Liverpool captain.

The 27-year-old Uruguay international has taken a pay cut to facilitate his move, for which the club have an option to buy for a pre-agreed price – believed to be €55 million – should it prove successful.

And the chance to play with a fellow centre-back still rated as one of the world’s best is something he is looking forward to.

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“We all know what a great player Virgil is. He’s a real reference point for the team, and he’s a kind of role model and reference for me personally as well,” he told the club’s website.

“I am excited to have that opportunity and enjoy learning from him, playing alongside him. With hard work, I think we can achieve good things together as a partnership and as a defence.”

Defence was an area which needed strengthening following the departure of Ibrahima Konate at the conclusion of his contract and the ongoing injury issues at right-back.

Liverpool believe Araujo’s experience – he was named Barcelona captain in January – is important and, significantly, he is up to speed having been involved in the Catalans’ pre-season preparations and it is understood he will join squad training later this week.

He arrives having won three league titles with Barcelona, as well as two Copas del Rey, and wants to continue that at Anfield after the 2025 Premier League winners finished trophyless in a season which cost head coach Arne Slot his job just 12 months after lifting the title.

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“Without a shadow of a doubt, the aim is to win trophies, win things.