Araujo: Liverpool Is Even Bigger Than I Imagined

Ronald Araujo has admitted Liverpool is "even bigger" than he imagined, as the on-loan Barcelona defender prepares for a familiar test when Villarreal visit Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Araujo joined Liverpool on a season-long loan from Barcelona in the summer, with an option to make the move permanent for $63 million (£47 million) next year. Speaking at Monday's pre-match press conference, the Uruguay international told Liverpool.com he has been taken aback by the scale of the club he has walked into.

"To be honest, it surprises me because you know how big Liverpool is, but when you get here and see the dimension of this club, the structure, the fans, you know it's a gigantic team," Araujo said.

"I'm very happy because since I arrived I've been welcomed just as another player, not just by the people at the club but the fans. I am very grateful to them. I want to give back to them by giving everything in training and every match."

Happy at Right-Back — But Honest About His Preference

Head coach Andoni Iraola has used Araujo mainly at right-back so far, rather than his natural centre-back position. The 27-year-old insists he has no complaints, even if he is honest about where he feels most comfortable.

"It's not a problem as I'd already played there a few times," he added. "When I made the decision to come here, I knew it was one of the possibilities to play as a right-back, so it's not something so different for me."

"Ultimately, I try to give everything I can no matter what position I am in, no matter what the manager asks. I'm not going to deny I don't feel more comfortable at centre-back, but at the end of the day it's not a difficult position for me at right-back."

Araujo's versatility is about to become even more valuable. He started at Brentford on Saturday before Jeremie Frimpong replaced him at half-time — only for the Dutchman to limp off injured just seven minutes later.

He Knows Villarreal Better Than Anyone in the Room

If Liverpool need a scouting report on Tuesday's opponents, Araujo has lived it. He faced Villarreal repeatedly during his years in Spain with Barcelona, and he was quick to warn his new team-mates about what Marcelino's side do with the ball.

"I know Villarreal well, I have faced them many times. They are a team where if you give them the ball, they will have a lot of possession," he said. "The second team after Barcelona has the highest level of possession, so that tells you the type of players they have."

"But we have our players, we are playing at Anfield, and we have our identity, and we have to give everything from the first minute and impose ourselves on the game. If we do, we can come away with a victory."

Araujo also believes this Liverpool squad can compete on every front this season. "I really do believe we have a great side," he said. "I think we can compete for all four competitions we are in. It's a long season, but we are on the right path."

Team News, Rotation and What It All Means

Liverpool have taken six points from their opening two league-phase games, including the wild nine-goal thriller at LASK last week. Villarreal arrive with three points after they beat Napoli 3-1 on matchday two, and another win for the Reds would put them in a commanding position at the halfway mark of the league phase.

Iraola will have to shuffle his defence, though. According to Sports Mole, Frimpong's new muscle injury makes him unlikely to return before the November international break, while Dominik Szoboszlai needs "a little bit more patience" after the recurrence of his thigh problem at Brentford. The Liverpool boss also hinted at wider rotation: some players, he admitted, are "not fresh enough" after a demanding weekend.

One man not short of momentum is Florian Wirtz. Iraola praised the £116 million playmaker after two eye-catching performances in a row, and Wirtz created nine chances at Brentford — the clearest sign yet that he is settling into English football.

Beyond the Final Whistle: Araujo's loan is quietly becoming one of the smartest deals of the summer. A Barcelona captain-calibre defender, playing out of position without a word of complaint, covering Liverpool's weakest spot during an injury crisis — that is exactly the kind of signing title challengers make. Every composed performance at right-back makes that £47 million option look less like a gamble and more like a formality. Should Liverpool trigger the permanent deal for Araujo next summer? Have your say in the comments.