Liverpool might be lining up an explosive late transfer for Alexander Isak within the ongoing switch market however for Arne Slot and Co, additional strengthening the ahead line shouldn’t be the precedence.
In spite of everything, regardless of including Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong to their ranks, the Reds’ defence seems worse than it did final season.
Trent Alexander Arnold and Jarell Quansah have each left, Joe Gomez is injured and Ibou Konate may comply with Trent to Actual Madrid.
Because of this, Slot has needed to tinker together with his backline throughout pre-season. The likes of Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch and younger Trey Nyoni have all performed within the centre of defence in current matches.
With Liverpool dreaming of retaining their Premier League title this season, they want somebody to companion Van Dijk.
Liverpool’s seek for a brand new centre-half
Within the centre of defence, the Reds have had two most important targets this summer season.
They first checked out prising Dean Huijsen away from Bournemouth however they have been left pissed off by Madrid but once more. The Spaniard solely wished Actual and he headed again to his homeland.
Marc Guehi is one other precedence goal for Liverpool and in accordance with reviews, they’re set to step up their pursuit of the Crystal Palace captain after the Group Defend on Sunday.
Valued at £45m, they’re because of maintain talks with the Eagles about signing the centre-back earlier than the September 1st deadline.
But, he isn’t the one defender on the membership’s radar. Certainly, in accordance with Soccer Espana, Barcelona star Ronald Araujo has emerged as an possibility.
They reveal that Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs are additionally exhibiting ‘critical curiosity’ within the 26-year-old. Manchester United are additionally stated to carry ‘long-term curiosity’ within the Barca defender.
How Ronald Araujo compares to Marc Guehi
At simply £45m, bringing Guehi to Anfield could be a superb piece of enterprise. He is 25, thus approaching his prime, he is Premier League-proven and having captained Palace, he is a pure chief.
Together with the sensible value on provide, there are only a few cons to signing such a confirmed participant within the remaining weeks of the window; he’d absolutely hit the bottom operating swiftly.
Nonetheless, Araujo is a real elite defender and has proven as a lot for one of many best golf equipment within the land in recent times.
Described by legendary centre-back Carles Puyol as “the most effective defenders on this planet”, Araujo may very well be a superb market alternative for Liverpool.
He is able to enjoying in the midst of defence but additionally competently at right-back. After lacking the primary half of the 2024/25 marketing campaign with a hamstring harm, the defender went on to play 24 occasions at centre-back and performed a starring position on the again as Barcelona reached the Champions League semi-finals.
In contrast to Guehi, he is enjoying on the very highest stage and he is extra versatile too, having performed seven occasions at right-back within the final two seasons.
So, what units him aside?
Araujo vs Guehi in 2024/25 (league solely) | ||
|---|---|---|
Stat (per 90 minutes) | Araujo | Guehi |
Passes accomplished | 79.3 | 43.3 |
Go accuracy % | 92% | 84% |
Key passes | 0.48 | 0.47 |
Progressive passes | 5.83 | 3.94 |
Progressive carries | 0.71 | 0.65 |
Tried take-ons | 0.12 | 0.44 |
Tackles gained | 1.07 | 1.00 |
Interceptions | 1.07 | 0.82 |
Aerial duels gained | 3.93 | 2.00 |
Stats by way of FBref. | ||
Over the past 12 months, Araujo has showcased that he’s an elite defender in a variety of metrics. He ranks inside the most effective 2% of positionally related gamers in Europe’s prime 5 leagues for aerial duels gained per 90 minutes.
Within the air, he is evidently streets forward of Guehi. His cross success fee of 92% betters Guehi and ensures that the Barca stalwart ranks inside the most effective 12% of centre-backs in Europe for that metric.
A beast within the air, Araujo additionally possesses the power to play out from the again, making him the right match for Slot’s backline.
Reduce from an identical material as Virgil van Dijk when it comes to his physicality, if Konate does find yourself leaving for the Bernabeu, then there are only a few higher replacements across the continent.
