Araujo's backheel assist against Atletico signals Liverpool have found their makeshift right-back

Ronald Araujo marked his growing importance to Liverpool with a backheel assist for Dominik Szoboszlai’s equaliser against Atletico Madrid at Anfield, prompting manager Andoni Iraola to declare the on-loan Barcelona centre-back has been “even better” than his impressive debut at right-back against Ipswich.

The improvised assist drew knowing smiles from teammates. “You have to ask him if he meant it,” said Szoboszlai of the assist. “It’s the beauty of football, isn’t it?” added Virgil van Dijk. “He did very well there and I think that is an understatement: he did amazing before the goal.” Szoboszlai was quick to note the context: “Ronald is playing right-back, which is not his position.”

Araujo celebrated emphatically at the goal and again at the final whistle. His previous Champions League appearance had also come against Atletico — as a substitute in Barcelona’s quarter-final elimination last season, a captain who had lost his place in the team. The contrast with his current standing at Anfield was stark.

The path to his Liverpool debut was shaped by circumstance. A pre-season injury to Joe Gomez left the club short of senior defenders, while the budget committed to £123m signing Bradley Barcola made a loan move the practical solution. Araujo’s diminished role at Barcelona made him available. A couple of unconvincing displays from Jeremie Frimpong at right-back then gave Iraola the prompt he needed to act.

The Basque coach has been direct about what Araujo offers that Frimpong did not. “Ronald has good crossing ability and he is smart in his decision-making,” Iraola said. “He is defending really well his side and also sometimes because he is a centre-back we underrate his offensive side.” Where Frimpong struggled with positional discipline, Araujo has brought the defensive instincts of a centre-back — harder to beat, more physical, and less likely to be caught out of position.

On the night Liverpool became the first club to field three players each signed for at least £100m in the same match, it was the player who arrived on a free loan who proved most influential. The story carries a certain irony: Araujo may yet stand as one of the more inspired pieces of business overseen by departed director of football Richard Hughes — unplanned, improvised, and so far working rather well.