New Liverpool signing Ronald Araujo speaks out on influence of Reds hero

Ronald Araujo was unveiled at Liverpool on Monday (Picture: Getty Images)

New Liverpool signing Ronald Araujo used to get up early in the morning to watch their matches when his countryman Luis Suarez starred for the club.

The Uruguayan defender has arrived at Anfield on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona, with a €55 million (£47m) buy option for the Reds.

The 27-year-old has been at Barcelona since 2018, making 213 appearances for the Spanish giants and winning three La Liga titles.

He has not always been a regular in the starting XI, but has featured regularly, making 38 appearances in all competitions last season.

The Reds have brought him in as they reshape their defence following the departure of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid.

Araujo is delighted to be at Anfield, partly because of the Uruguayan connection as he watched on from his homeland when Suarez was banging in the goals for the Reds from 2011-14.

‘Of course I did,’ he said of following Suarez when he was at Liverpool.

Araujo will hope to partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back (Picture: REUTERS)

‘We loved watching the English Premier League and everyone in Uruguay gets up early in the morning to catch the games.

‘Of course as a kid I used to watch Luis playing all those fantastic games for Liverpool. We all know what he achieved, the history that he made within this club during his time here. So it’s fantastic.

‘From minute one, I’ve been sort of asked about that kind of comparison since I’ve arrived here. I get on really well with him, we’re quite close.

‘Just a few minutes ago I got a good luck message from him saying all the best, you’ve joined a great club and all the very best for your time here.’

Araujo (right) played for Uruguay against England at Wembley in March (Picture: Getty Images)

The Reds have another friendly coming up against Como on Saturday before starting their Premier League campaign at Newcastle on August 23.