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Hansi Flick described it as a "shame" that Ronald Araújo won't feature for Barcelona this season, essentially confirming widespread reports that a temporary move to Liverpool is on the horizon.
Camp Nou teammate Fermín López also commented: "I hope he returns next year."
Araújo missed a significant portion of Flick's debut season as Barcelona boss due to a hamstring problem and was later granted a mental health break midway through the campaign. Despite this, the Uruguayan had established himself within the squad's leadership structure and even took on the club captaincy at the start of 2026 when Marc-André ter Stegen departed to Girona on loan.
However, his influence in the dressing room hasn't translated to the pitch, and Araújo has largely found himself on the bench when fit throughout Flick's tenure. This, coupled with Liverpool's urgent need for a central defender, has opened the door for his move to England.
"He's a wonderful person and an outstanding footballer. But his playing style doesn't align with what I look for," Flick told reporters, explaining Araújo's limited involvement and the club's decision to allow him to depart.
"He's strong, quick ... it's a shame. It's been tough because I haven't been able to use him as much as I would have liked. He's been impacted by previous setbacks. We've spoken. I saw him in good spirits, content, and I wish him nothing but the best," the manager added.
"Change is a natural part of both life and football."
Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín established themselves as Flick's preferred center back pairing last season. Even with Araújo set to leave—at least on a temporary basis—he retains Eric García and Andreas Christensen as options. Jules Koundé, now predominantly used as a right back, also provides additional cover.
Without Araújo, Frenkie de Jong appears set to step up as club captain for the upcoming season. However, with the Dutchman currently out due to a torn medial knee ligament, it will be third-captain Raphinha who will wear the armband for the time being.
Liverpool's Center Back Need Underlined by Preseason Struggles
With just two weeks remaining before the Premier League season kicks off, a 35-year-old Virgil van Dijk stands as Liverpool's sole available senior center back.
Ibrahima Konaté departed after failing to reach a contract agreement and has since signed for Real Madrid, while Joe Gomez and new recruit Jérémy Jacquet are both sidelined through injury. Manager Andoni Iraola stated on Sunday, following the Anfield loss to Monaco, that Jacquet "should be okay" by the time Liverpool host Como in their final preseason fixture next weekend. Yet the situation still feels far from reassuring.
Jacquet missed the closing stages of last season with Rennes after sustaining a shoulder injury just days after his pre-agreed Liverpool transfer was made public. A knee issue picked up in training has now set him back further this summer.
The young Frenchman arrives with a strong reputation, but a settling-in period is a reasonable expectation, provided he can also maintain his fitness once competitive action gets underway.
Van Dijk, making his first preseason appearance after World Cup duty, was paired against Monaco alongside raw 18-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe. The young Austrian was substituted at the break, with midfielder Wataru Endo stepping in. For the second consecutive game, Liverpool squandered a 2–0 advantage and suffered a deflating defeat.
Seven goals have now been conceded across the last two preseason outings, with an impressive attack unable to compensate for the glaring defensive vulnerabilities. That said, Araújo's injury-plagued last two years mean expectations for an immediate impact should be tempered.