Press conference'I like Ronald Araujo's spirit and I'm very happy for him'

The Uruguayan has appeared six times for the Reds – producing an assist as part of a Player of the Match showing against Atletico Madrid – since joining on loan from FC Barcelona last month.

Whether as a centre-back or right-sided full-back, Araujo's start on Merseyside has impressed many – including his new head coach.

"I'm very happy for him," Iraola said at a press conference on Friday. "Because the first time I talked to him – we knew each other because we played against each other but not personally – sometimes you talk to a player and you can feel straight away that everything was positive.

"I think he needed this kind of change. [He] has come with humility, is coming from also a big club, experienced player.

"We need you right-back, we need you centre-back, if we need him in every other position, I think he's ready to do it.

"Physically also, he's played probably more minutes than we expected, being so early in the season, and he's showing [he is] robust. It is still early but he's finishing the games in a good place physically – he's not cramping.

"Especially when you are a centre-back and you have to play wide as a right-back, the demands physically are different. Probably [it] is more demanding and he's assuming these efforts well.

"I like his spirit. Now I'm pushing him to learn a little bit the language because a good way for us to use his experience is if he could communicate better with the teammates and use all the experience that he has, but I suppose it will take some time."