There is an unwritten rule in football that says never fall in love with a loan player. For Liverpool, it might already be too late.
Ronald Araujo's embrace with the Anfield crowd after scoring against Villarreal summed up his spell at Liverpool so far. He has taken to them, and they have taken to him.
The Uruguayan's arrival came out of nowhere. In a rarity in modern football, there was no prolonged transfer saga, no incremental updates and little speculation. One moment Liverpool needed defensive reinforcements; the next, they had signed one of Barcelona's former captains.
Ibrahima Konaté's departure for Real Madrid, coupled with long-term injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, meant Liverpool needed to strengthen their defensive options.
Araujo, deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona despite his previous status as captain, offered an intriguing solution. His ability to operate at both centre-back and right-back made him an appealing option: a market opportunity carrying some risk, but one worth taking.
Araujo's latter years at Barcelona had been complicated. Several high-profile errors in high-stakes encounters, particularly in Europe, had frustrated sections of the fanbase and raised questions about his consistency. A fresh start appeared to suit all parties, and the 27-year-old seems to be enjoying every minute of his new chapter.
"To be honest, it surprises me because you know how big Liverpool are. But when you get here and you see the dimension of this club, the structure, the fans – you know it is a gigantic team,"he said last week.
"I'm very happy because since I arrived I've been welcomed just as another player. Not just by the people at the club, but also the fans. I'm very grateful to them. I want to give back to them by giving everything in training and in every match."
A solution to Liverpool's right-back problem
Araujo's introduction has helped resolve a problem position for Liverpool. Despite his preference for centre-back, he has impressed on the right, offering a combination of physicality, defensive aggression and composure in possession.
Thestatistics underline his impact. No Premier League full-back has won more aerial duels per 90 minutes, while he ranks third for shots blocked and accurate passes into the final third. He also sits among the top 10 full-backs for long passes per 90 (fourth) and interceptions (eighth), while ranking 11th for successful dribbles.
These numbers paint the picture of a defender who offers more than a temporary solution to an injury crisis. Araujo can compete physically, anticipate danger and help Liverpool progress the ball, while his versatility gives the manager valuable options when selecting a backline.
There will inevitably be questions about the sustainability of his performances and how he would fare over a full season. Nevertheless, his early impact has given Liverpool something they desperately needed: reliability in a position that had become a concern.
Should Liverpool make the move permanent?
Liverpool hold a €55 million (£46 million) option to make Araujo's loan permanent. Before a ball had been kicked, exercising it might have seemed unlikely.
The defender turns 28 in March, and Fenway Sports Group have generally favoured recruitment strategies that protect a player's future resale value. Committing a substantial fee to a player approaching his peak, particularly one whose recent Barcelona career had been clouded by inconsistency, would represent a departure from the usual emphasis on long-term value.
But Araujo is threatening to rewrite that script.
His performances have been outstanding, while his connection with the Anfield crowd has developed quickly. There is a difference between signing a player because he represents an attractive opportunity and investing in one because he has demonstrated that he can make a meaningful difference to the team. Araujo is increasingly making the latter argument.
Liverpool's wider defensive picture also strengthens his case.
Virgil van Dijk will turn 36 next summer, with a decision still to be made over the Liverpool captain's future. The club must plan for life beyond its defensive leader without losing the experience and physical presence that have underpinned its success.
Araujo could help bridge that transition. His experience at the highest level, combined with his ability to play in two defensive positions, would provide valuable flexibility as Liverpool reshape their backline.
Jeremy Jacquet's performances have impressed, but the Frenchman remains just 21 and has limited Premier League experience. Giovanni Leoni, meanwhile, is highly rated but is still a teenager recovering from an ACL injury. Both could have important futures at Anfield, yet neither should be expected to shoulder the responsibility of replacing Van Dijk overnight.
Araujo would not be a like-for-like replacement for the Liverpool captain. He would, however, offer a different type of solution: an established defender capable of contributing immediately while the next generation develops.
The financial argument remains significant. A €55 million commitment is substantial, particularly for a player whose age may limit his resale value.
Yet recruitment is not solely about identifying the youngest player or the most attractive future asset. It is about finding the right player at the right time, for the right reasons. If Araujo continues to deliver, Liverpool may find that the certainty of an established performer is worth more than the theoretical upside of a cheaper alternative.
If Araujo maintains his current level, the argument for making the move permanent will become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Liverpool did not bring him to Anfield as the cornerstone of their defensive future. They brought him in because they needed help. In football, however, the best signings are not always the ones that follow a carefully constructed plan. Sometimes, they are the opportunities that emerge unexpectedly and prove too good to turn down.
The unwritten rule says never fall in love with a loan player. Liverpool may have broken it already.