Araujo urges Liverpool fast start against Villarreal in Champions League
Ronald Araujo has urged Liverpool to set the tempo from the opening whistle when Villarreal visit Anfield in the Champions League on Monday night, with the Uruguay defender backing the Reds to extend their flawless start in the competition.
Araujo ready for Anfield test
The former Barcelona defender faced the media on Monday as Liverpool’s representative from the playing squad before the 20:00 BST kick-off. He thanked supporters for the reception he has received since arriving on Merseyside and said he is prepared for the demands that come with representing the club.
Araujo said the pressure at Liverpool is significant but is exactly the environment he wants. He stressed that his focus is on helping the club compete for honours in England and Europe.
- Liverpool host Villarreal at Anfield at 20:00 BST.
- The Reds are seeking a third straight Champions League victory this season.
- Liverpool have won 15 of their past 16 home matches in the Champions League group-stage or league-phase format.
- Villarreal arrive after beating Napoli 3-1.
Villarreal warned, but respected
Araujo knows Villarreal well from his years in La Liga and expects a difficult challenge from a side he believes is among Spain’s strongest possession teams.
“After Barcelona, they are the team with the most possession in La Liga, and that says a lot about the players they have,” Araujo said. “I have played against Villarreal many times. They are a very good team with very good players.”
But the defender insisted Liverpool must make home advantage count. “We are at Anfield, we have our own identity, and we need to give everything from minute one and take control of the match,” he added.
Role change and squad absence
Araujo has been used at right-back by Iraola, despite viewing central defence as his preferred position. The 26-year-old said he has no issue adapting when required and is also learning English to improve his communication with younger colleagues, including Rio Ngumoha and Jeremy Jacquet.
“I feel more natural as a centre-back, I will not hide that, but it is not a problem,” he said. “Football has a universal language. If you need to shout to someone, they will understand.”
Liverpool will be without Dom Szoboszlai, and Araujo acknowledged the midfielder will be missed.
“Dom is an incredible player,” he said. “We cannot have him available at the moment, and of course we will notice that. But there is a lot of quality in this squad.”
What happens next
Liverpool can protect their perfect European record with another win over Villarreal. Araujo believes the squad have the depth and level needed to make a serious run in the tournament, but first they must overcome a Spanish side he expects to be comfortable on the ball and hard to unsettle.
