Fabrizio Romano confirms it: Everything signed for Liverpool to complete surprise deal

Liverpool are on the brink of a signing. Fabrizio Romano confirms all is done - now we're just waiting.

Liverpool are right on the brink of a massive signing. It's one that came out of absolutely nowhere, too, with zero links to Ronald Araujo before news broke at the weekend that he was on his way to Anfield.

The Uruguayan has had a difficult few season with Barcelona, despite the fact he just lifted La Liga as club captain. His minutes have been dramatically reduced, however, with just 1062 last season and a mere 759 the season before.

Liverpool, then, are hoping that Araujo can recapture the form he showed around 2023, when he was one of the best defenders in the world. They'll bank on Virgil van Dijk helping him recapture that - though, there's little long-term risk here as the new signing is merely on loan with an option to buy.

If Araujo is a success, then perhaps he'll stick around. Otherwise he's off back to Barca.

So how likely is that? We've done a deep dive on Araujo and his likely impact this coming season. It has to be said that he's mainly an attacking threat, rather than a standout defensive weapon.

We'll find out exactly what he offers shortly. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that all is signed for Araujo and he should be announced in the coming hours, quite honestly.

Liverpool have needed a new centre-back after Joe Gomez went down with another injury at the start of pre-season. Jeremy Jacquet has been slow to recover after being out since January, too, and still hasn't featured in a friendly.

Giovanni Leoni is also still out, having been unavailable since his debut nearly a year ago. Hopefully, he's back before long.

But it all means that Van Dijk is actually the only definitely available centre-back. That's not a good position to be in, given the Dutchman is 35. Araujo's arrival offers some experience and, with any luck, another option for Andoni Iraola to call on consistently.