How will Ronald Araujo deal impact Liverpool's transfer plans?

Ronald Araujo has been one of the big surprises of the season so far at Liverpool.

The Uruguayan's loan move wasn't something many saw coming, but it looks like a great bit of business after just a few weeks.

The defender has made himself a key part of Andoni Iraola's side early on, offering cover through the middle and becoming the de facto first choice right-back.

Araujo's loan agreement reportedly includes a €55 million (~£47m) optional buy clause that, if triggered, would see the defender join Liverpool permanently.

Impressive displays early on in his Liverpool career have lead many to think the clause should be triggered, but how would that affect the rest of Liverpool's transfer plans?

Do Liverpool still need a right-back if they sign Araujo?

A massive injury to Conor Bradley combined with a dip in form for Jeremie Frimpong led to Araujo asserting himself as Iraola's first-choice right-back, but the 27-year-old hasn't been flawless.

No one can argue with the spirit and heart that Araujo has shown since making his Merseyside move, but there is no doubt that the player is somewhat limited as a fullback.

This is something that the coaching staff at Liverpool are well aware of, with Araujo being substituted off at half time for tactical reasons against Villarreal despite bringing the Reds level just before the break.

It isn't that Araujo offers nothing going forward, but he is not as creative as Liverpool would like and he has a tendency to be drawn out of position when defending as a right-back.

He still represents a fantastic depth option, and his ability to cover multiple positions makes him truly valuable.

Whether or not Liverpool will trigger the clause remains to be seen as spending close to £50 million on a player who will be 28 is uncharacteristic for the Anfield recruitment team, but even if Araujo does move to Merseyside permanently the club will still need to sign a right-back.

The Urugyuan is fantastic cover through the middle and on the right, but he is not the long-term solution to Liverpool's right-back conundrum.

Rumours of a departure for Frimpong continue to swirl, and the severity of Bradley's injury means that the Reds should almost definitely be looking to bring in a natural right-back who can contribute more creatively in the summer.

Araujo may well stay a Red, but Liverpool will need to bring in another defender alongside him.