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Liverpool has a fresh transfer priority emerging regardless of $63M Andoni Iraola decision

Liverpool has another transfer priority emerging as Andoni Iraola looks to continue making progress since he took over from Arne Slot at the start of the summer

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.

As Liverpool looked to chase the game against Arsenal and the clock ticked down, it was telling that Victor Munoz, back from a minor injury, was deployed at right-back.

While the ploy had worked against 10-man Brentford, during the game in which he picked up the knock that then kept him sidelined, Munoz — and Rio Ngumoha in front of him — were unable to repeat the trick at Anfield a fortnight later.

Andoni Iraola was right to try it, but the move didn't pay off for a second time, and Liverpool looked less balanced as a result of the substitutions that he introduced.

While Liverpool did not move for a right-back as such during the summer transfer window, it did bring in the experienced Ronald Araujo from Barcelona.

On loan with an option to purchase him for $63 million (£47 million) next year, Liverpool has used Araujo mainly at full-back so far. It has worked as a short-term fix, but it may not be the right solution forever.

"Ronald is performing well," Araujo's agent, Eduardo Crnjar, told WinWin Sports this week. "We're very happy with what he's offering, but it's still too early to talk about his future.

 Ronald Araújo of Liverpool looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match against Tottenham
Ronald Araujo has settled in well at Liverpool

"He feels great, he's happy to be playing for Liverpool, and he's helping the club and his teammates, as he's already said."

Regardless of the decision that is made on Araujo, though, or even if he is signed with playing center-back rather than right-back in mind, the full-back position remains a talking point.

Conor Bradley has started just 13 games for Liverpool since Trent Alexander-Arnold, the number one in the position at that time, departed for Real Madrid, because of a series of unfortunate setbacks. The latest one has kept him out for the best part of 12 months.

Jeremie Frimpong, meanwhile, who was bought for a cut-price fee and fills a homegrown spot on the roster, is yet to fully convince. He excelled at Bayer Leverkusen in a different position — right wing-back — to the one on offer here.

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Araujo has done well defensively, and he has shown a willingness to venture forward at times, but for Iraola-ball to truly come to life at Liverpool, he might need more.

Though he is not particularly keen on playing there, right now, there is even an argument that the most balanced player Liverpool has who can play right-back is Dominik Szoboszlai.

Even if Liverpool does trigger the buying clause with Araujo, however, signing a right-back who is A) stylistically suited to what Iraola wants, and B) has a strong, proven fitness record is a must. Without that, there is an argument the Reds' progress will be held back.

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