Ronald Araujo hasn’t taken long to become a new cult hero at Liverpool, but he is doing far more than just showing a huge amount of character on the pitch.

The Uruguayan defender was exceptional in the Reds’ 2-0 win at home to Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday, shining in all facets of his game.

Araujo played an important role in Pascal Gross’ own goal that opened the scoring, and at the other end, he was rock-solid, earning praise from Andoni Iraola after the game:

“It helps a lot. I think we all enjoyed watching Ronald fighting. I think he’s very good in the duels. Even in the first goal, I think he wins two duels in a row. He arrives to the byline and after it’s not an assist but it’s worth an assist. And defensively, I think he’s been 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 in half-time and he has continued working with no issues. Today we needed him more. He has given a very, very good 90 minutes.”

Araujo may be a towering figure who doesn’t necessarily look as quick as some players, but incredibly, he recorded the fastest speed in a Premier League game this season against Brighton.

The 27-year-old generated a pace of 36.4 kilometres per hour, in a remarkable statistic that is likely to surprise many, as his reputation continues to grow.

There’s no catching Ronald Araújo ?

The Liverpool defender has recorded the FASTEST sprint speed in the Premier League this season. ? ? pic.twitter.com/RSBfFPnDuO

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 25, 2026

Ronald Araujo is justifying a permanent Liverpool deal

Araujo is only on loan at Liverpool from Barcelona currently, and they may have wished they had him on Sunday night, as the Catalan giants lost 2-1 at home to rivals Real Madrid in La Liga.

The Uruguay international has been a revelation in a Reds shirt to date, excelling at right-back and making Iraola’s team so much more formidable defensively.

In fact, Liverpool have only conceded one goal in their last six Premier League matches with 11 men on the pitch, with the 3-0 loss to Manchester City almost farcical after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off.

On current evidence, Araujo simply must earn a permanent deal at Liverpool at the end of the season, but only if he carries on performing at this level.

Iraola and the Reds’ recruitment team have to be ruthless and make sure this isn’t just a flying start that peters, but as things stand, there will be uproar if the club doesn’t retain such a popular figure.