Iraola confident Araujo can make immediate impact at Liverpool

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola says Ronald Araujo will make a positive contribution after joining the club from Barcelona on a season-long loan, while stressing that his side must learn to control matches more consistently before the new Premier League campaign begins.

Liverpool have the option to buy Araujo at the end of his loan spell, and Iraola believes the Uruguay defender’s quality and experience will allow him to settle quickly at Anfield.

“We were able to welcome a new signing to the club this week, with Ronald Araujo joining us on loan from Barcelona,” Iraola told Liverpool’s website.

“We are, of course, very happy to add a player of this quality and experience, and I am sure he will adapt quickly and have a positive impact on our team.”

Iraola’s comments came after Liverpool suffered a second successive defeat in their pre-season programme, losing 3-2 to Monaco after surrendering their advantage.

The manager said the team had faced a similar problem in their 4-2 defeat by Leeds United during their training camp in Chicago, where they failed to maintain their performance level throughout the match.

“The problem we faced against Monaco, as happened against Leeds in Chicago, is that we were unable to maintain our level, and that is something that can only be achieved with time and hard work in training,” he said.

Liverpool have now reunited their full squad following the World Cup, with Alexis Mac Allister returning to the AXA Training Centre on Monday.

“After Alexis Mac Allister returned to the AXA Training Centre on Monday, all of our players were back with us again after the World Cup, and that is, of course, extremely useful,” Iraola added.

He remains convinced that Liverpool possess the ability to compete strongly, but said they now have to demonstrate that quality more regularly.

“I have no doubts about the quality and ability within our squad, and now it is up to us to show that consistently over the coming period,” Iraola said.

Liverpool will play Como on Sunday in their final pre-season fixture before the start of the new Premier League season. Iraola described the match as an important opportunity to complete the team’s preparations.

“It will be a good and very important game for us as we put the finishing touches to our preparations for the new Premier League season,” he said.

The match will begin at 20:00 on Sunday.

Liverpool have played four friendlies so far. They opened their schedule with a 4-2 victory over Sunderland before beating Wrexham 1-0 in their second outing. They then lost 4-2 to Leeds United in Chicago and were defeated 3-2 by Monaco in their most recent match.

The club finished fifth in the Premier League last season with 60 points and will begin the new campaign under Iraola, who was appointed as Arne Slot’s successor.

Liverpool’s opening league fixture will be against Newcastle United on Sunday, 23 August, at St James’ Park.