What Is Liverpool’s Best Defense After Ronald Araujo Arrival?

If Liverpool’s first preseason under Andoni Iraola has underscored anything, it’s their defensive struggles.

Aside from a clean sheet against second-tier Wrexham, the Reds have allowed nine goals across matches with Sunderland, Leeds United and Monaco—surrendering two-goal leads during defeats in the latter two.

There are mitigating factors, of course, chiefly the absence of key personnel, but problems at the back are nothing new for Liverpool. Last season under Arne Slot, a lack of depth and quality resulted in one of the club’s leakiest campaigns in modern history.

Iraola has required reinforcements this summer, especially after the exits of Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson, and the loan signing of Ronald Araújo from Barcelona goes some way to remedying his concerns. Jérémy Jacquet has also officially joined the club after agreeing a transfer back in January.

However, there remain concerns over the caliber of Liverpool’s defensive unit, and Iraola has some tough calls to make come the club’s Premier League opener away at Newcastle United.

Defensive Dilemmas for Iraola

Andoni Iraola — Iraola’s squad still needs bolstering. | Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Even when Liverpool have their full complement available to them, there are still question marks over the strength of their rearguard. Right now, however, Iraola’s options are further depleted by injuries.

At right back, Conor Bradley remains sidelined for the foreseeable future after a nasty knee injury sustained last January. With Joe Gomez also struggling with his fitness—yet again—the right back curse which caused Liverpool so many problems last season continues to haunt them.

The arrival of Araújo should help. The Uruguay international is most comfortable at center back, but has been used at right back previously. The 27-year-old’s speed and physicality mean he can be trusted in the role should Iraola opt against playing the out-of-form Jeremie Frimpong or sub-par Calvin Ramsay.

But Araújo is also needed at center back with options few and far between. Virgil van Dijk is now 35 years old and was offered no rest last term, playing almost every match for Liverpool before captaining the Netherlands at the World Cup. The towering Dutchman is not the same defender he once was, either.

Ronald Araújo — Araújo should ease some concerns. | Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Gomez is not the only injured center back, with young Giovanni Leoni still recovering from the ACL tear suffered on his debut last September. The young Italian will certainly miss the start of the season and might not be able to play meaningful minutes until the winter.

Significant pressure therefore falls on Jacquet, who has his own injury issues to worry about. While the Frenchman is expected to feature in Liverpool’s final preseason match of the summer against Como next weekend, he’s been out of action since last February with a combination of shoulder and knee problems. Iraola will need to ease him back into action and respect the fact he’s playing in an entirely new country at just 21 years old.

Mercifully, left back is a position of little doubt. Milos Kerkez is the undisputed first-choice after Robertson’s departure, with Kostas Tsimikas an unspectacular deputy having returned from a disappointing loan spell at Roma in 2025–26.

Liverpool’s Best Defense As Things Stand

Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez — Liverpool need a big season from Van Dijk (L) and Kerkez. | Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images

There are simply no questions over Liverpool’s best goalkeeper. An injury-hit campaign meant Alisson was often missing in 2025–26, but the Brazilian is still among the world’s leading stoppers when healthy. He’s a far superior choice to Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is yet to convince on Merseyside.

As mentioned, Kerkez is nailed-on at left back and rightly so after an improved second half of last season, while the experience, leadership and physicality of Van Dijk remain utterly essential in the left center back slot—even if he has lost some of his swagger and speed.

Liverpool appear set to start the season with Frimpong at right back. The Dutch international was snubbed for the World Cup and has enjoyed a full preseason, playing over an hour in three of the club’s four friendlies. There are still concerns over his effectiveness defensively, but his speed and intensity should help the Reds press high up the field under Iraola. When Bradley returns, he should displace Frimpong, though.

Van Dijk’s partner for the opening clash with Newcastle remains to be seen. On paper, new recruit Araújo seems the best option given his experience of playing at the elite level, but Jacquet could soon leapfrog him in the pecking order with a strong start under Iraola. Still, it’s the Barcelona loanee who is the stronger option right now.

Liverpool’s rearguard. — Liverpool’s rearguard will look a little different this coming season. | FotMob

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