Andoni Iraola has his first win as Liverpool head coach after two goals in the opening 10 minutes from Alexander Isak ensured a 2-0 victory away to Ipswich on Friday night.
The Swede’s early double ultimately proved to be the difference between the teams, and there’ll be plenty of praise for Cody Gakpo too for supplying both assists, having also set up the 26-year-old to score against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
The Reds’ number 9 will inevitably hog the headlines, but one man at the other end of the pitch made an understated yet vital contribution to tonight’s result.
Araujo justified his selection for Liverpool
The one change to the starting XI from the Forest game saw Ronald Araujo come in for Jeremie Frimpong at right-back, and the Uruguay defender ultimately vindicated Iraola’s decision to start him.
Liverpool’s number 33 made a crucial interception to deny Ipswich a tap-in and also won a number of duels and challenges to help the Reds achieve a first clean sheet since beating Fulham 2-0 at Anfield in April.
There were a couple of iffy moments from the 27-year-old tonight, including one sliced clearance to concede a corner kick and a delayed throw-in which, under new rules, saw the set piece reversed to the home side.
However, as the figures below from Sofascore illustrate, Araujo was colossal in his defending for Iraola’s team, along with pulling off a couple of mazy dribbles of which an elite attacker would be proud.
| Passes completed | 32/38 (84% success) |
| Duels won | 9/10 |
| Clearances | 7 |
| Dribbles completed | 2/3 |
Araujo was rock solid for Liverpool
The head coach rolled the dice by axing the under-fire Frimpong in favour of the Uruguayan, and the latter repaid that faith with a powerful performance which elicited praise from Theo Squires in his post-match player ratings for the Liverpool Echo.
Awarding the defender eight out of 10, the reporter wrote: ‘A full debut for the Uruguayan, but stationed at right-back. Liverpool looked more solid defensively for having him there as he won a number of aerial duels. Denied Ipswich a tap-in with one vital clearance. Decisive in the Reds keeping a clean sheet with a number of big blocks and interceptions late on.’
Araujo now has every chance of keeping his place for the Reds’ first Champions League match of the season at home to Atletico Madrid next Wednesday. More of the same in that fixture would do very nicely, indeed!
Araujo was a Captain at Barcelona. How come Iraola has been hesitant to give him a permanent position?
Positives
First time in a Liverpool shirt we’ve seen Isak what he was at Newcastle. Direct, confident, fit, and first touch what it should be. Now needs to be consistent.
Ronald araujo replaces frimpong at right back.
Had to be done, Ronald araujo was excellent, didn’t push forward as much as our full backs have been in recent years. Was disciplined, we looked better defensively. Must stay in the team as right back.
Negatives.
Wirtz again anonymous.
Why keep roatating midfield players when we will be a better team with three midfielders without wirtz.
Wirtz offers nothing without the ball, he’s doing nothing at the top end either.
Next big decision for Iraola.
Wirtz needs to be dropped.
Go back to a 433. Gravenberch to protect the defence Alexis mac allister and szoboszlai further forward.
The midfield that won the league . Without wirtz who is just a passenger in the team.
We won’t get away with carrying passengers against the better team’s.