Liverpool fans have already fallen in love with Ronald Araujo during his time with the club so far, following a loan switch from Barcelona in the summer

Liverpool icon Jan Molby believes that Ronald Araujo's desire to defend has helped win over the Anfield faithful, a trait he says is less common among modern players.

It follows a positive start for the defender, ever since he made the switch to Merseyside, joining on a season-long loan from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.

The Uruguayan international made the move without much fanfare, being viewed as a useful option to cover problems at the back, without solving all of the problems that exist there. However, Araujo was placed at right-back for a clash against Ipswich, and he hasn't looked back ever since.

That position has been the 27-year-old's ever since, showing the ability to defend well on the flank, while also having the hunger and desire to chase down lost causes.

Whether it's his wild moments at the back, such as throwing his head at the ball when he is on the ground, or his willingness to run after everything, even landing a goal against Villarreal in such circumstances, it has won over the supporters.

There are already many calling for a permanent deal to sign the defender, while he won the club's Player of the Month award for October, recognizing just how good he has been in the past few weeks.

For Liverpool icon Molby, the reason behind the love he has from the supporters is clear. Speaking on LFCTV's Preview Show, he said: "It’s very unusual, I think, in modern-day football when you have defenders who just love defending.

“Because mainly we talk about their ability on the ball, ‘he’s a good ball player’, and you look at all the possession stats and passing stats. Here we’ve got a player who, to be fair, has done most in the game already because of his time at Barcelona.

“But he has come here and from day one he is kind of letting people know, ‘I’m a defender first and foremost, I love defending.' Because of everybody else and the way they play, I think the fans have just gone, ‘He just loves defending.’”

It's the sort of claim that Iraola seems to agree with, after giving out plenty of praise to his defender last month, citing his ability to battle as a clear reason for it. "It helps a lot [to have Ronald]," said the Liverpool head coach.

"I think we all enjoyed watching Ronald fighting. I think he's very good in the duels. Even the first goal [against Brighton], I think he wins two duels in a row, he arrives at the byline and after, it's not an assist, but it's worth an assist. And defensively, I think he's been really, really really good.

"I'm happy for him because I've taken him out in the last two games, because we needed more offensive things, at half-time and he has continued working with no issues and today we needed him more. He has given a very, very good 90 minutes."

Liverpool fans will certainly be hoping that Araujo can continue to show the kind of form that has won the fanbase over, with some important matches coming up after the international break.

Upcoming clashes with Manchester United and Everton are the type that can cement a legacy as a cult hero, or they can seal difficult moments in the memory, with those matches often meaning more.